[WATCH] Gargantuan Baseball-Sized Hail Hit Oklahoma Destroying Cars; What Causes Large Hailstones?

Large rock-like hail showered over Oklahoma causing destruction in properties and risking the lives of those living in the area. The hailstorm and severe thunderstorms affected the southwestern part of the state and the east-central regions.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Norman, Okla., the storm brings 70 miles per hour winds accompanied by baseball-sized hail with sizes that range from 1 to 3.5 inches in diameter.

"Yesterday was certainly a billion-dollar hail loss day across the U.S.," said Northern Illinois University meteorologist Victor Gensini in an interview with USA Today. "San Antonio and Fort Worth, Texas – along with Norman – were all impacted with large to significant hail. In addition, there was one gargantuan (4 inches) hail report near Hondo, Texas."

Damage to Properties

Car windows and buildings were damaged due to the large hail. There were also reported power line damages that have affected businesses in the area.

The storm is moving to the east, hitting places near the north of Dallas and Fort Worth. The NWS has issued a severe storm risk for the areas that will be hit in eastern Texas to western Connecticut. However, it is expected that the hail will subside as the storm heads to New England.

Watch the Baseball-Sized Hail Showers

Some citizens posted videos and images of the hailstorm and shared them on social media. The videos show the downpour of huge ice blocks and the strong howling wind.

What Causes Large Hail?

Like rain, hail is a form of precipitation comprised of solid ice. These forms when raindrops inside thunderstorm updrafts are carried into extremely cold atmosphere resulting into frozen rain.

It grows bigger as it collide with liquid water drops and freeze on the surface of the hailstorm. It falls to the ground once the thunderstorm updraft can no longer carry the hail's weight.

According to the National Severe Storms Laboratory, the largest recorded hailstone has weighs 1 lb with a diameter of 8 inches and circumference of 18.62 inches. It was recovered in Vivian, South Dakota on June 23, 2010.

Hail can cause damages to aircraft, cars, homes and other properties. Due to its solid form, it can may be life-threatening both to livestock and people.