Why in the News?

A hailstorm in the evening caused massive damage to the crops and fruits in south Kashmir’s Kulgam and Shopian districts. Residents said the hailstorm damaged the apple fruit which was ready for harvesting.

What are Hailstorms?

• Hail, a solid form of rain composed of ice balls or lumps, leads to the formation of hailstorms when they descend to the ground.
• Typically lasting around 15 minutes, these storms can inflict injuries and damage to structures, vehicles, and more, particularly prevalent in midlatitude regions.
• Hailstorms occasionally coincide with other severe weather phenomena such as cyclones and tornadoes.
• The size of hailstones varies widely, ranging from small pellets under 1/4 inch to larger stones measuring several inches in diameter.
• Conditions: Conditions conducive to hailstorm occurrence involve the presence of highly developed Cumulonimbus clouds, massive anvil-shaped formations observed during thunderstorms that can reach heights of up to 65,000 feet.
• Strong updrafts, or ascending air currents within these clouds, and high concentrations of supercooled liquid water are essential elements.
• Formation of Hail: Hail formation begins with a water droplet lifted by an updraft inside a thundercloud.
• As it ascends, supercooled water droplets adhere to its surface, creating layers of ice.
• With continued ascent, the hail embryo grows by accumulating more supercooled particles until gravity pulls it down.
• Large hailstones often display alternating layers of clear and opaque ice due to irregular rates of freezing during their development.