Influence of Large‐Scale Teleconnection Patterns on Hailstorm Severity in Alberta

Abstract Severe hailstorms pose significant threats to agriculture and infrastructure in mid‐latitude regions. This study examines how large‐scale climate patterns can influence hailstorm intensity in Alberta, Canada. We conducted a composite analysis of seven teleconnection indices, including the Pacific‐North America pattern and Arctic Oscillation, and their relationships with hail intensity, measured by Vertically Integrated Liquid (VIL) values, using radar data from 1997 to 2020. Our findings indicate that most indices influence hail intensity through lagged effects by modulating atmospheric conditions prior to the hail season. Positive phases of several indices during preceding seasons are associated with elevated VIL values, consistent with atmospheric preconditioning. In contrast, some teleconnections, such as the Arctic Oscillation, exhibit short‐lag effects that influence hailstorm intensity during the hail season itself. These findings improve understanding of how teleconnections regulate hailstorm severity, informing seasonal forecasting, early warning systems, and climate risk assessments in mid‐latitude hail‐prone regions.