Summary
This video explains what hail and hailstones are, how they form, and their characteristics.
Highlights
Introduction to Hail
00:00:07
Unlike snow and sleet which are common in winter, hail can fall throughout the year. Hailstones are typically pea-sized but can grow to the size of golf balls.
Hail-Producing Clouds
00:00:28
Hail is produced by large, dark cumulonimbus clouds, which can also cause thunder and lightning.
How Hailstones Form
00:00:42
Inside these clouds, winds blow water droplets high up where they freeze into ice. As they fall, winds pick them up again, adding more frozen water droplets, causing them to grow in layers.
Hailstone Descent and Impact
00:01:10
When hailstones become too heavy, they fall to the ground faster than snowflakes. Their impact can be noisy, especially against windows, and it's advisable to use an umbrella during a hailstorm.