Every spring, I look forward to a beloved Pacific Northwestern seasonal ritual. I’m out tromping somewhere in boots, hood pulled over my head, and squint upward towards the sky. “Wait a second,” I think. “Is it sunny...and hailing? At the same time?” Yes, warm weather will be here soon, but it’s not time to set aside those wool base layers just yet.

The latest in-depth coverage covering the intersection of technology and culture. WIRED’s award-winning journalism will help you make sense of a world in constant transformation. Join us as we explore the ways technology is changing our lives.