How Hail Happens

Front

What is hail?

Back

Hail is a type of precipitation that consists of balls or irregular lumps of ice.

Front

How do raindrops become hailstones?

Back

Raindrops in the cold air become ice.

Front

What causes raindrops to turn into hail?

Back

If the raindrops meet the very cold air, then they turn to ice.

Front

What role does wind play in the formation of hail?

Back

Wind moves the storm clouds and helps raindrops inside the cloud to move.

Front

What happens to air bubbles in freezing water when hail forms?

Back

Air bubbles are trapped inside the freezing water, making the hailstones milky white.

Front

What is the process of layers of ice forming on hailstones?

Back

Hailstones move up and down in the cloud, allowing layers of ice to be added.

Front

What is the temperature like at the top of a storm cloud?

Back

At the top, air is much colder than it is lower down.

Front

What happens to raindrops inside a storm cloud?

Back

Raindrops inside the cloud begin to move due to wind.

Front

What is the difference between rain and hail?

Back

Rain is liquid water droplets, while hail is solid ice.

Front

What conditions are necessary for hail to form?

Back

Hail forms in strong thunderstorms with intense updrafts and cold temperatures.