Damaging hail consists of hailstones of destructive size, typically >1 cm. In agriculture, it is one of the greatest threats: it can destroy an entire harvest within minutes. The most affected areas in Spain are the Ebro Valley, the Meseta, and the Levante, where supercells produce 2–5 cm hail with relative frequency.
Protection
Agricultural insurance (Agroseguro) covers hail damage. Anti-hail netting protects high-value crops (fruit trees, vineyards). Some countries attempt cloud seeding with silver iodide to reduce hail size, though effectiveness is debated. Updrafts exceeding 25 m/s are needed to sustain large hail.