Why are hailstones getting bigger

 

Hailstones are formed when strong updrafts in thunderstorms carry raindrops upward into extremely cold regions of the atmosphere, where they freeze into ice. As these frozen droplets are lifted and fall through the storm repeatedly, they accumulate additional layers of ice, growing larger in size. Several factors can contribute to the formation of larger hailstones:

1. Warmer Surface Temperatures: Warmer surface temperatures can lead to more intense thunderstorms, providing the energy needed to sustain stronger updrafts. These stronger updrafts can lift hailstones higher into the atmosphere, allowing them to grow larger before falling to the ground.

2. Increased Moisture: Higher levels of moisture in the atmosphere can lead to the formation of larger hailstones. More moisture means there are more water droplets available to freeze into ice, resulting in larger hailstones.

3. Stronger Updrafts: Intense thunderstorms with powerful updrafts can suspend hailstones in the atmosphere for longer periods, allowing them to accumulate more layers of ice and grow larger in size before they eventually fall to the ground.

4. Changes in Atmospheric Circulation: Changes in atmospheric circulation patterns, such as shifts in wind patterns and jet streams, can create conditions conducive to the formation of larger hailstones. These changes can influence the strength and duration of thunderstorms, affecting the size of hailstones produced.

5. Climate Change: There is evidence to suggest that climate change may be contributing to the formation of larger hailstones. Warmer temperatures can lead to more intense thunderstorms, while changes in atmospheric circulation patterns may also play a role. However, the relationship between climate change and hailstone size is complex and requires further research.

Overall, a combination of factors related to atmospheric conditions and climate patterns can contribute to the formation of larger hailstones. Understanding these factors is essential for predicting and mitigating the impacts of severe weather events associated with hail.