HailPurple

== Hail Josh M & LaRay A Purple == Introduction Hail is balls of ice that form normally in thunderstorm conditions (cumulonimbus cloud)[2]. Hail begins as a frozen raindrop that makes its way to a ice ball by going through a series of different processes [1]. Hail, as rare as it is, is still something to be prepared for because it can cause massive amounts of damage to structures, cars, and people.



Dangers Hail gets more dangerous when the size increases. Large hail stones can cause damage to property, windows, and roofs. This happens when the hail is produced in a large cumulonimbus cloud [2]. Hail can also wipe out fields of corn or any other sort of crop[3]. Hail is also very dangerous to humans. In Indiana 1888, there was baseball sized hail that killed 250 people. This is why it is best to stay clear from hail [3].



Conditions of Formation Hail is a very rare occurrence because there has to be just the right conditions for hail to form. Hail forms during thunderstorms, and mostly at mid latitudes. Hail Starts off as ice crystals in a cloud. It will start to move upwards through a cloud via an updraft and capturing more ice crystals thus growing in size while rising.The ice crystal will eventually fall and will be picked up by another updraft and this process will be repeated. After so many cycles of this occur, the ice crystal has grown to anywhere from .5 to 5 inches in size and the cloud can no longer support it and it falls down to earth as hail. Hail will only occur in Cumulonimbus thus only appearing during thunderstorm conditions[4]. Hail will only occur in low pressure areas, the low pressure air will have a lot of water vapor in them. These will also cause the updrafts because it is lower pressure so it rises. As it rises it reaches a very cold temperature near the top of the troposphere, this causes the water molecules to freeze, it will then fall down, get a new layer of water on it, then rise again from the updraft, and so on. This is how updrafts and low pressure zones have an affect on the formation of hail. == == Historical Examples In June 23 2003 hail stones fell at a record 7 inches. Hail Fell in Kentucky. Hail of this size is really rare because after a certain point it ways too much to be lifted back up by the updraft so then it can no longer grow in size, so seeing 7 inches is an incredible feat..[4]. Safety # Some good safety tips for when you are in a hail: In a car you should: 1. Try your best to stay away from car windows 2. Cover eyes 3. Try to lay on the floor face down but if you can't lay on seat back against the window 4. Put small children under you and cover their eyes. When your in a building: 1. DO NOT go outside for any reason 2. DO NOT go into the basement 3. Stay away from windows 4. Make sure everyone and pets are still in the building 5. Avoid using electronics. And lastly when you are outside: 1. Keep away from areas with hail 2. Try to find shelter 3. Stay out of culverts and low land areas to avoid being swept by water or hail[5] . Sources [1] Williams, Jack. "Hail." The Weather Book. New York: Division of Random house inc, 2000. 112, 115, 135, and 106. Print.  [2] Allaby, Michael. Weather and Climate. New York: Library of Congress Cataloging, 2001. Print. [3 ]Center, Colorado Climate. "Hail Safety Tips." Office of Emergency Managment.  City of Fort Collins, n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2010.  oem>. [ 4]NOAA. "Hail - Severe Weather Awareness." NOAA. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Dec. 2010. <span style="font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"> <noaa.gov>. [5] <span style="font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">Center, Colorado Climate. "Hail Safety Tips." Office of Emergency Managment. City of Fort Collins, n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2010. oem>.

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Pool Bombarded with Softball Size hail!

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