Further Studies of Large, Water-Insoluble Particles within Hailstones

Jan Rosinski National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO 80307

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Charles A. Knight National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO 80307

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Clarence T. Nagamoto National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO 80307

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Griffith M. Morgan National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO 80307

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Nancy C. Knight National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO 80307

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Franco Prodi IFA-CNR Sezione Nubi e Precipitazioni, Bologna, Italy

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Abstract

Results of a previous study have been confirmed by additional measurements on many hailstones from several different areas. They indicate that relatively clear hailstone embryos, interpreted as frozen drops, are associated with large soil or organic particles. Opaque (bubbly) embryos do not contain foreign particles larger than 40 μm diameter. The difference is observed even when the two hailstone embryo types occur in a single hailfall. The results suggest that different embryo types originate in different parts of a storm and are carried by the thunderstorm airflow into a common final growth and fallout region.

Abstract

Results of a previous study have been confirmed by additional measurements on many hailstones from several different areas. They indicate that relatively clear hailstone embryos, interpreted as frozen drops, are associated with large soil or organic particles. Opaque (bubbly) embryos do not contain foreign particles larger than 40 μm diameter. The difference is observed even when the two hailstone embryo types occur in a single hailfall. The results suggest that different embryo types originate in different parts of a storm and are carried by the thunderstorm airflow into a common final growth and fallout region.

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