Hail

Hail is a type of precipitation that occurs during thunderstorms. It is formed when updrafts in the storm carry raindrops high into the atmosphere where the temperature is below freezing. These raindrops freeze and become small pellets of ice. As the pellets are carried by the updrafts, they can collide with supercooled water droplets, which then freeze onto the hailstone, adding more layers of ice. This process can repeat several times, creating larger hailstones. When the hailstones become too heavy for the updrafts to support, they fall to the ground.

Formation of Hail

• Updrafts carry raindrops into freezing temperatures
• Raindrops freeze and become small pellets of ice
• Pellets collide with supercooled water droplets and add more layers of ice
• Hailstones grow in size and fall to the ground when too heavy

Impact of Hail

Hail can cause damage to crops, vehicles, and buildings. The size of hailstones can vary, with larger hailstones causing more significant damage. Hailstorms can also pose a danger to people caught outside during the storm.

Staying Safe During a Hailstorm

• Seek shelter indoors or in a sturdy building
• Avoid being outside during a hailstorm
• Protect vehicles by parking in a garage or under a shelter

Fun Fact

The largest hailstone ever recorded in the United States was 8 inches in diameter and weighed nearly 2 pounds!

[Hail] Related Worksheets and Study Guides:

• WeatherScience • Kindergarten