Photos
A heavy downpour shortly before 4:30 p.m. Monday afternoon started tossing pellets of ice — some of the size that car lovers fear may leave some dents — that left a sight usually not seen on what has been a hot, dry July.
Some of the hailstones pelting The Hills were at least as big as an inch in diameter. Down in the flatter section of Basking Ridge, municipal clerk Denise Szabo said she had seen and heard heavy rain, but didn't believe that there was a major ice storm in that location.
Were you out in this? Did you (like me!) sit in your car afraid that you were going to be pummeled with stones? Was it painful to hear that hail hit your vehicle?
To be fair, the National Weather Service had predicted possible thunderstorms today and this evening, with a possibility of hail in the evening. Additional thunderstorms may occur on Tuesday, but the NWS made no mention of hail for that day.
Elsewhere in the township, a bolt of lightening was strongly suspected of igniting a roof fire on a home on Emily Road.
The sun appeared to be returning to the area as of shortly before 5 p.m. Everyone back in the pool?
Tara Lazar
8:20 pm on Monday, July 23, 2012
I was in Bedminster at Kings just getting into my car as the hail began. It was so loud I couldn't believe it. But I have a brand-new Honda Odyssey (a week old) and I hadn't heard rain hit the roof before. Just when I thought it was TOO LOUD for rain I saw the hail bouncing around the parking lot. I immediately drove to the Peapack-Gladstone bank's drive-thru so I could get under shelter, but all three berths were taken. I then got out and asked the woman in front of me to move up just a bit so at least some of my car could be protected. I have to apologize publicly here if I freaked her out--I was very upset and scared. I am handicapped and it was the first time I was driving my new car with hand controls. My husband said I had the ultimate driving test today and now I can handle anything. LOL. Hope everyone is safe. It was definitely scary.
Linda Sadlouskos
8:31 pm on Monday, July 23, 2012
It WAS scary. As I said, I was afraid to leave my car, thinking it would be like having someone throw rocks (hard!) at me, from many directions, just trying to make a quick dash.
Tara Lazar
8:34 pm on Monday, July 23, 2012
Linda, is that your home in the photo? If so, you live in my former neighborhood and I now live right around the corner.
Olive
9:09 pm on Monday, July 23, 2012
Yes we had hail stones in Society Hill hitting our windows and collecting on the grass. It did not last too long.