Can you imagine a giant chunk of ice falling from the sky? Well, it actually happens! These big ice balls are called hailstones. One of the largest hailstones ever found was as wide as a person’s head, about 20 centimeters across. That’s pretty huge!
Hailstones are created during powerful thunderstorms. Here’s how it works: raindrops in the storm are pushed upwards by strong winds. As they rise higher into the cold parts of the clouds, they freeze and turn into ice. These small ice balls are what we call hailstones.
Sometimes, the winds are so strong that the hailstones don’t fall to the ground right away. Instead, they keep getting pushed around inside the clouds. As they move around, they collect more ice and grow bigger and bigger. Eventually, they become too heavy for the winds to hold up, and they fall to the ground.
One of the most famous hailstones landed in South Dakota in 2010. It still holds the record for being the widest hailstone ever found. But who knows? With the right thunderstorm, we might see an even bigger hailstone someday!
So, next time you hear about a thunderstorm, remember that it might be creating some amazing ice balls high up in the clouds!
Ice Ball Experiment: Create your own hailstones at home! Fill a small balloon with water and tie it off. Place it in the freezer and wait for it to freeze completely. Once frozen, remove the balloon and observe your ice ball. Discuss with an adult how this is similar to how hailstones form in the clouds. What do you notice about the size and shape of your ice ball?
Weather Watch: Keep a weather journal for a week. Each day, note down the weather conditions and see if there are any thunderstorms. If there is a thunderstorm, imagine how hailstones might be forming in the clouds. Draw a picture of what you think the hailstones look like as they grow bigger inside the storm.
Hailstone Hunt: Next time it hails, go outside with an adult and collect some hailstones. Measure them with a ruler and compare their sizes. Are they all the same size? Discuss why some hailstones might be bigger than others. Remember to wear a hat and be safe!
