O hail is a kind of precipitation (ie, rain) falling from the sky in the form of solid ice in small pieces. Usually, these pieces are more than five millimeters (half a centimeter), but some can appear much larger in size!
How does hail form?
Hail forms from a very specific cloud that is called cumulonimbus, which usually appears in tropical and warm areas. This cloud is characterized by the fact that it is very “stretched” horizontally, with a height of approximately 1600 meters from its base to its highest point.
When this cloud forms in the atmosphere at extremely low temperatures, the precipitation of rain, or part of it, takes place in the form of small pieces of ice, which we call hail. This happens by the fast change in the physical state of the water: from gas to solid.
Can hail kill?
There have already been some records of people killed by hailstorms or by the impact of large ice blocks formed in those rains. But don't worry, this is not very common and has happened very rarely in history.
The biggest problem refers to the damage caused, such as material damage to houses, cars and others. But just in case, when you notice that it's starting to sleet, it's best to look for a safe place to take shelter.
It is important not to confuse graniteand hail, as they are different terms! O hail it is an ice cube that falls during some rains; O granite it's a igneous rock that, lucky for us, doesn't fall from the sky!
By Me. Rodolfo Alves Pena
