Hail Forecasting
Natural Disasters
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NOAA photograph  

Hail is formed high inside the clouds of severe thunderstorms. There are very strong updraft and downdraft winds that blow constantly inside severe thunderstorms. If a water droplet gets caught in an updraft it might freeze, then thaw when blown downward if caught in a downdraft. Another updraft would send the water particle upward again to refreeze into a larger ice ball.

 
Hail Size Comparison Chart

Estimated Size

Average Diameter

Estimated Size

Average Diameter

Pea

1/4 inch

Golf ball

1 3/4 inch

Marble/
mothball

1/2 inch

Tennis ball

2 1/2 inch

Dime/
penny

3/4 inch

Baseball

2 3/4 inch

Nickel

7/8 inch

Tea cup

3 inch

Quarter

1 inch

Grapefruit

4 inch

Ping-pong ball

1 1/2 inch

Softball

4 1/2 inch

             
http://www.photolib.noaa.gov/historic/nws/wea00233.htm
This is a picture of very unusual looking pieces of hail that were recovered after a hail storm.
   
   
   
   
Thinkquest Meet the Team Site Outline Interactives Links
Photographic Citations:

NOAA Comparison Chart:
 http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/cae/svrwx/hail/hail.htm

Text Citations:
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/cae/svrwx/hail/hail.htm