Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: When You Can’t Avoid the Weather By Jared Leighton, CCM, Senior Forensic Meteorologist On numerous occasions, I have driven across the Kansas and Oklahoma prairies chasing thunderstorms – partially for recreation, partially for research. On a field research project called Hail Spatial and Temporal Observation Effort (HailSTONE) with the National Weather Service, we collected freshly fallen hail and compared it with the weather radar signatures associated with that hail. This research project took us from Texas to North Dakota in search of giant hail. My passion for seeing storms has never decreased, but the time to spend trying to see them unfortunately has. On a recent trip to Tennessee to present Haag’s Forensic Meteorology services to a group of insurance adjusters, my flight out of Kansas City was canceled. I quickly rebooked a new flight through Charlotte. Remembering that severe thunderstorms would be moving through the

Roofing Sample Guidelines for Forensic Hail Damage Evaluations By Steve Smith, P.E. Replacing a commercial roof can cost many thousands or even millions of dollars. That is why accurate forensic roof analysis is essential. Well installed and properly maintained roofs can last for decades; however, a significant weather event can damage the roof investment, and often result in conflicts between building owners, insurance carriers, roofing contractors, public adjusting firms, and yes, even attorneys.  While laboratory analysis of roofing samples may not prevent these conflicts, accurate information is essential. High-quality test results help roof consultants develop informed opinions and play a crucial role in settling property claims. The importance of laboratory testing in Roofing Hail Damage Analysis For decades, laboratory testing of roofing samples has played a key role in better understanding the cause of damage, the extent of damage, the date of damage, and even the repairability of roofs. Many