Grapefruit-sized hail recorded in parts of Manitoba during super-cell storms

Hailstones ranging from Toonie sized to grapefruit sized — Environment Canada reporting parts of Manitoba were hit with this heavy, giant hail Wednesday.

That icy precipitation causing lasting damage to many communities.

“The weather yesterday was the result of a number of super-cell thunderstorms — these are the most intense types of thunderstorms,” explained Scott Kehler, President and Chief Scientist with Weather Logics.

“Even across the whole country, these are some of the largest hailstones you’ll find in Canada.”

The storm that produced some of the extreme weather in question can be seen in this photograph taken by Scott Kehler, the president and chief scientist, at WeatherLogics. (Photo Credit: Scott Kehler, Weatherlogics)

Kehler says while the recent hailstones didn’t break any size records in the province, they’re some of the largest typical for Manitoba.

Kehler seeing the destruction firsthand while following the storm northeast of Winnipeg.

“In the Beausejour area, there was definitely wind damage and then further downstream as the storm moved into the Whiteshell — places around Falcon Lake, Brereton Lake, Rennie — there’s reports of significant vehicle damage and even holes being punched in roofs from how large the hail was,” he explained.

The McMunn and Yates Building Supplies in Beausejour took a direct hit, sustaining damage to its roof.

The McMunn and Yates Building Supply in Beausejour was damaged as a result of the storm, but officials with the retailer say clean-up has concluded and damage was cosmetic. (Photo Credit: Steve Anderson, CityNews)

Weatherlogics reports 2023 has already surpassed last year when it comes to hail, with 173 reports so far, compared to 102 reports in 2022.

Donna Clarke is a long-time resident of Fisher River Cree Nation where grapefruit sized hail fell. She says she was surprised when she went outside to hang some laundry after spending the storm in her sewing room.

“I come out and this little girl is collecting stuff and said, ‘Did you hear the rain?’ And I said, ‘No, what rain?’ And then she said, ‘look at all this hail!’ And there were literally like snowballs laying around, all over in the yards,” explained Clarke.

A resident of more than six decades in the community, Clarke says she’s never experienced such large hailstones.

Damage that appears to have been the result of a recent series of super-cell storms can be seen in Beausejour, Man. (Photo Credit: Steve Anderson, CityNews)

“You’ve seen that picture of my hand, it was bigger than my tomato.”

Clarke says her vehicle was not damaged in the storm, but damage could be seen across the area, saying she hopes those who were affected get the help they need and saying she’s glad the effect of the storm was not more serious.

“I’m just thankful that nobody got hurt, a vehicle can be replaced, but never a person.”

A tree near Beausejour appears to have sustained damage during a string of super cell storms in Manitoba. (Photo Credit: Steve Anderson, CityNews)

Manitoba Public Insurance says claims are already coming in, with 1,000 reported as a result of this week’s storms roughly 400 of those caused by storms on Wednesday.

The provincial insurer says it’s too soon to determine how the total damages stack up to previous storms.

MPI has increased resources at call centres and service centres to handle the influx of claims.