HailChatter

It’s HailTrace’s 15-year anniversary—and we’re celebrating with the best storm chasing stories over the years! 🚨In this special episode, Meteorologist Taylor Cox and Collin Hunt sit down with CEO Derik Kline, Lead Meteorologist John Choquette, and Customer Success Lead Justin Hughes to share the wildest, closest, and most unforgettable storm chases from the past 15 years. From a busted windshield and a narrow escape in El Reno, to 13 tornadoes in 90 minutes over Dodge City, you’ll hear what it’s really like to chase storms!.You’ll also find out:How the HailStalker truck came to life (hint: it involves cheering for broken glass)Why one chase turned into a National Geographic documentaryAnd yes...how a herd of peeing cows might’ve contributed to a tornado outbreak (we’ll let you decide) 🐄🌪️Don’t miss this behind-the-scenes look at the adventures, close calls, and camaraderie that shaped HailTrace over the last 15 years!👉 Like, subscribe, and share with your favorite storm chaser.HailTrace.com

It’s the anniversary of the April 29th, 2022 Andover Tornado—one of the most iconic storms in recent memory.In this episode of HailChatter, Meteorologist Taylor Cox and Collin Hunt take you inside the world of Local Storm Reports (LSRs) and why they matter so much for issuing tornado warnings or working storms in the restoration industry. Topics discussed include:🌪️ What are LSRs and how are they created🛰️ Why LSRs are essential for confirming what’s really happening on the ground 🚨 The story of how HailTrace CEO Derik Kline helped trigger tornado warnings—twice in one week🏠 Where LSRs fit in finding storm damage & a Date Of Loss for an addressIf you work in restoration or just love tracking severe weather, this is one episode you don't want to miss.🎧 If you have not already, like, subscribe and share this episode!

You’ve probably heard it before—Dallas-Fort Worth is the hail capital of the world. But why?In this episode of HailChatter, Meteorologist Taylor Cox and Product Evangelist Collin Hunt sit down with CEO Derik Kline to break down why DFW gets hit so often—and so hard.Spoiler: It’s more than just location. It’s about the heat trapped by concrete.Listen now to learn:🔥 What the urban heat island effect is—and how it fuels storms🌪️ Why DFW storms explode at night and curve into the city📊 The science behind “the cap” and why it matters for hail💥 A billion-dollar storm that could only happen in DFW🏙️ What this means for those in restoration working stormsWhether you’re a storm nerd or you work storms, this is one episode you don’t want to miss.Subscribe and Like to see more episodes like this.

We just dropped the official 2025 Hail Forecast! ☄️In this episode of HailChatter, CEO Derik Kline joins Meteorologist Taylor Cox, Lead Meteorologist John Choquette, and Collin Hunt to walk through what we’ve seen so far—and what’s still to come.In this episode, we cover:📍 Which areas have already been hit—and how the 2025 forecast is measuring up🌪️ Why we are just getting started and this storm season could still bring major events across the U.S.📊 The patterns behind our forecast and what history tells us🗺️ State-by-state predictions for the biggest hail potential in 2025➕ Plus, a bonus look at what to expect during hurricane season!This episode has it all—from storm chasing stories to deep-dive meteorology and what the restoration industry needs to know this storm season.🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for future episodes📍 Watch the full forecast to see your state’s storm outlook!

The biggest storm weekend of the year so far brought tornadoes, giant hail, and non-stop severe weather across 20+ states. In this episode of HailChatter, Meteorologist Taylor Cox, HailTrace CEO Derik Kline, and Lead Mapping Meteorologist Stephen Barabas break down:🌪️ The Science Behind the Storms – Why this system was so powerful and how it compares to past outbreaks.🧊 Hail Trends – Why some areas saw massive hailstones while others saw giant tornadoes.📍 Tracking the Impacts – From College Station to Greensboro, what these storms left behind.🌪️ Tornado Trends & Comparisons – Was this outbreak anything like March 14th, 2024?🔍 What’s Next – Is this a preview of the 2025 storm season?This episode is packed with expert analysis, real-time radar breakdowns, and insights into how severe weather impacts the restoration industry.📢 Subscribe now and stay ahead of the next big storm!This episode features:Ozark - St. Louis, MO 4-Star Storm (05:13 - 11:14)College Station - Carthage, TX 4-Star Storm (11:14 - 16:56)Owensboro - Louisville Area - Jeffersontown, KY - Jeffersonville, IN 5-Star Storm (16:56 - 25:07)Greensboro, SC 4-Star Storm (25:07 - 33:57)

Imagine chasing storms for a living—then seeing your own storm-chasing truck on the big screen.That’s exactly what happened to HailTrace CEO & Founder Derik Kline when he became an extra in the 2024 Twisters movie.In this episode of HailChatter, meteorologist Taylor Cox sits down with Derik to get an inside look at his time on set. He shares what it was like to be part of a big-budget production, how filmmakers recreated the thrill of storm chasing, and what Hollywood got right (and wrong) about severe weather. Plus, he reveals how the production team modeled a storm-chasing vehicle after his own HailStalker II.In this episode, we cover:🎬 What it’s really like to be on a major movie set🌪️ How Twisters compares to real-life storm chasing🔥 Is it actually possible to “tame” a tornado? Derik shares his thoughts🎆 What happens if you shoot fireworks into a tornado? We break down the scienceIf you love storms, movies, or just want to hear what happens when Hollywood meets storm chasing, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!Listen now and subscribe to HailChatter for more expert insights into the world of weather and restoration!

You’ve probably heard it before—“I’ll take care of that in the off-season.” But in the restoration industry, does an off-season even exist?In Episode 2 of HailChatter, we dig into this question, breaking down weather data and storm restoration industry trends to show why even the most common weather patterns can catch you off guard.For some areas, hailstorms are can pop up year-round. For others, the season follows a clear cycle—but even then, there are surprises. In this episode, we unpack:📊 What the data says about when and where hailstorms most commonly happen🌪️ Why certain cities—like Dallas and Atlanta—see more storms outside of peak season🏠 How contractors can rework past storms to stay busy year-roundWhether you’re booking jobs in the busiest months or looking for opportunities when things slow down, this episode will help you rethink how to maximize every season.Want to explore the data for yourself? Check out NOAA’s Severe Weather Prediction ToolLearn more about HailTrace🎧 Listen now on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts!

Welcome to HailChatter, the podcast where weather meets restoration, brought to you by ⁠HailTrace⁠!Your Cohosts are Taylor Cox, a meteorologist with a background in emergency management, and Collin Hunt, a messaging strategist focused on helping businesses succeed. Together, they break down the impact of severe weather on the restoration industry.In this short intro episode, they lay the foundation for what you can expect from the show—in-depth storm breakdowns, industry insights, and practical ways weather impacts your business.This podcast will answer questions like:🌪 How accurate are NOAA reports for storm damage?☄️ What makes hail hard or soft?🌀 What’s it really like to chase a tornado?With a team of meteorologists and deep industry knowledge, HailChatter will help you understand storms better, prepare smarter, and maximize your business.🎙️ New episodes drop every other Tuesday—find us on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and more.Hit subscribe and get ready for some exciting conversations! 🌩

The biggest hailstorms of 2024 weren’t just record-breaking—they shaped the restoration industry that can still be felt today. In this episode of HailChatter, we dive into the top 5 hail events that shattered records, caused billions in damage, and kept roofers, adjusters, and restoration pros busy long after the storms passed. Join Cohosts Taylor Cox and Collin Hunt as they break down:⛈️ The Oklahoma City hailstorm—why this late-season giant caught so many off guard💥 A 3-day May outbreak that delivered softball-sized hail and made history in Texas📍 Denver’s billion-dollar storm—one of the most expensive hail events of the year Whether you’re still working leads from these storms or want to be better prepared for the next big one, this episode is packed with expert insights to help you navigate storm season like a pro. Listen now and subscribe to HailChatter for more in-depth weather discussions tailored for the restoration industry!