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Sunday, October 31, 2010

Phoenix Hail Storm

Arizonans were taken aback on October 5, 2010 to experience a full blown hail storm in the desert. For many of the children in Phoenix this was their first time seeing hail on the ground. Many children were shocked to find ice on the ground when the high for the day was 86 degrees. Most recalled that snow forms in freezing temperatures, typically 32 degrees or below.


So, how is it possible to have "golf-ball" sized hail with temperatures between 66 and 86 degrees? At the end of the day, many children and some adults were searching for answers. Nobel prize winner George Bernard Shaw professed, “What we want is to see the child in pursuit of knowledge, and not knowledge in pursuit of the child.” This surprise event created the perfect teachable moment. Video: Phoenix Hail Storm

It is possible to have a hail storm in the desert, because most large thunderstorms create some hail. However, perfect conditions must be met if the hailstones are to grow large, freeze solid, and survive until they reach the ground.

Hail is formed when rain droplets are frozen, then lifted repeatedly by powerful swirling updrafts through freezing thunderclouds. Each time they are lifted upward, more layers of ice are formed. At some point when the ice ball is too heavy to lift, they fall to the ground.
Hailstones can reach a diameter of more than 6 inches (15 cm), and weigh a pound (.5 kg) or more. For that reason, hail in the desert is not so implausible after all.



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