hail

Table of Contents

Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics

Images & Videos

Witness crop destruction by hail and examine a hailstone's interior under polarized light

thunderstorm: hail production

Explore how interactions between the water cycle and landforms affect climate and weather

Read Next

Flower. Fruit tree. Cherry. Cherry tree. Cherry blossom. Spring. Close-up of cherry blossoms in bloom.

The Perils of an Early Spring

Earth from space. Full-hemisphere views of the Earth showing Hurricane Linda at its peak approaching Baja California on 1997 September 11.

What Is Earth’s Velocity?

Lightning over the outskirts of Oradea, Rom., during the thunderstorm of August 17, 2005.

16 Questions About Earth’s Atmsophere and Weather Answered

Solar system illustration. (planets; sun)

Why Are Planets Round?

Lightning over a farm field. Weather electricity thunderstorm light energy tree

Can Lightning Strike the Same Place Twice?

Discover

Ahura Mazda - relief of the Zoroastrian god Ahura Mazda at the ancient ruins of Persepolis in Iran. Also known as Ormazd Zoroastrianism,

Which Religion Is the Oldest?

Small, white rat (genus Rattus) on a glass table. (rodent, laboratory, experiment)

Cruel and Unusual Punishments: 15 Types of Torture

Easter Procession of Maria Santisima del Sacromonte in Granada, Spain. This statue is known as Virgen de los Gitanos or The Virgin of the Gypsies.

What is Holy Week?

Marriage. A couple getting married during a church wedding ceremony. (religion, ceremony, bride, groom)

The Seven Sacraments of the Roman Catholic church

Battle of the Alamo from "Texas: An Epitome of Texas History from the Filibustering and Revolutionary Eras to the Independence of the Republic, 1897. Texas Revolution, Texas revolt, Texas independence, Texas history.

6 Wars of Independence

Illustration for Demystified "How Dangerous is Quicksand"

How Deadly Is Quicksand?

Close up of books. Stack of books, pile of books, literature, reading. Homepage 2010, arts and entertainment, history and society

12 Novels Considered the “Greatest Book Ever Written”

hail: Related Content

Written and fact-checked by The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

News •

Severe Weather, Flooding Rain Threats In The Plains, Midwest And South To Last Through Easter Weekend • Apr. 14, 2025, 11:05 PM ET (The Weather Channel)

Hailstorm hits Russia's third-largest wheat producing region • Apr. 9, 2025, 4:55 AM ET (Straits Times)

Multiple Rounds Of Severe Weather To Plague South, Ohio Valley With Tornadoes, Damaging Hail And High Winds • Apr. 3, 2025, 1:05 AM ET (The Weather Channel)

Strong Tornadoes, Hail, High Winds Possible In Midwest, South, East • Mar. 30, 2025, 8:42 AM ET (The Weather Channel)

Monster storm heading east this weekend to spew tornadoes, hail and snow • Mar. 28, 2025, 6:32 AM ET (USA Today)

Photos and Videos

thunderstorm: hail production

Witness crop destruction by hail and examine a hailstone's interior under polarized light

Explore how interactions between the water cycle and landforms affect climate and weather

See All Videos and Images →

Topics

hailstone soft hail small hail precipitation hydrometeor rain snow orographic precipitation sleet fog drip fog cloud aerosol Does It Rain on Other Planets?rime

Quiz

Iceland, Glacier lagoon (Jokulsarlon)

Winter Weather Words Quiz

Lightning over a farm field. Weather electricity thunderstorm light energy tree

Facts You Should Know: Weather Quiz

Umbrella colored like a rainbow sticking out above a sea of black umbrellas while it rains. (storm, weather)

Weather Words Vocabulary Quiz

rain. Child in the rain, wearing a rain coat, under a yellow umbrella. April Showers weather climate rain storm water drops

April Showers to March’s Lions and Lambs