A warning covering an area with about 2,200 residents told people ... storm warning was active throughout the day, with eight to 12 inches of snow in areas above 5,500 feet and quarter-size hail ...

The city had been basking in temperatures of more than 30C. It has been hit by hail storms before, but seldom this heavy. Hailstorms form when warm, moist air from the surface rises upwards ...