why snow in freezing locations but hail in locations where its never that cold?

Question

im going by my knowledge that hail is a form of ice and snow is in the process of becoming ice. so wouldnt it make sense that in colder locations it would hail, because the temperature is around freezing point which in my logic means ice, and not-so-cold locations would snow because in my logic its not cold enough to form ice. ex hail in san diego, but snow in alaska, shouldnt it be the other way around?

Answer 1

it's not about how cold it is here close to the ground. It's about how cold it is up there where it's formed

Answer 2

It al has to do with upper level dynamics. If the temps at high altitudes are favorable for hail to reach the ground than it will. Steep Lapse Rates and Cold Air Aloft are the main ingredients neeed for such forcing of ice crystals to the surface. however, if the conditions aloft aren't quite favorable, then hail is a big no no. In some cases, this is the same for snow in the winter.

Answer 3

You DO NOT get the flu from sitting out in the cold. It is a myth. The reason people get sick mostly in the winter is because people stay inside more often due to the weather and they actually "catch" the viruses and bacteria that are already present in their homes or any other indoor environment. However pneumonia and hypothermia along with frostbite can be potential problems. So I'd say if you love it outside, be outside. Just make sure you wear warm clothing, keep you hands and feet especially warm, and make sure the weather is not affecting your breathing. Moving can keep you warm too as the friction form your muscles expanding and contracting creates warmth so why not go for a nice scenic walk; nothing too strenuous. But if you want to play in the snow chances are you will get wet so limit yourself 30-45 minutes at a time when playing in the snow so you can go inside and warm up and get dry. Have Fun :D

Answer 4

You are so sharp to notice sometimes there are hailstorms in warm places where it seldom snows.

Hail is formed high in the clouds. It is formed in cumuli-nimbus clouds that can be miles tall . Cumuli-nimbus clouds are usually seen in warmer climates. They are the clouds that make such pretty "cloud pictures". These clouds are formed by warm moist air that rises from the ground. Sometimes during a storm, water drops are thrown high into the clouds where they freeze, then they fall and begin to melt, but instead of falling to the ground the drop of ice is thrown back up, over and over until it becomes so heavy that it falls to the earth as hail.

In order for it to snow, there has to be a lot of moisture in the air in the form of water vapor. When the temperature is below the freezing point these droplets of water freeze and fall to the ground as snowflakes. .

Answer 5

Hail is formed at upper altitudes and requires cumulonimbus clouds to form. These clouds form in high energy thunderstorms. Cold places don't have this kind of energy to form storms that form hail. Hail has enough mass to last its fall through warm lower altitude air. Oh and snow IS a form of ice. It's ice and air in a crystal formation.

Also note that sleet, which does fall in cold climates, is not hail.

Answer 6

You incorrectly acknowledge the definition and scientific processes you're questioning.

Hail occurs when violent updrafts mainly within thunderstorms cause the rainfall within the storms to rise back into the cloud and freeze. But the more violent the updraft, the longer the raindrop stays up in the cloud and it collects more raindrops and they freeze making the hailstone bigger until they fall to the ground. You see it as hail.

Snow, for argument's sake, is frozen rain. Don't confuse that with "freezing rain" which is a specific type of precipitation that is totally different.

Hail can occur in warm climates because hailstones don't melt on their fast track to the ground. Snow stays frozen in colder climaters...CUZ ITS COLD!

Answer 7

You be surprise to know that it also occurs in the tropics,Last year in Portmore Jamaica,(YES Jamaica in the Caribbean),March,leading,end of a cold front produce a trough which in turn induced, freak storms in the parish of St Catherine,strong winds,heavy rainfall,hail,yes HAIL was also falling hard for up to an hour,people were shock and at awe, size were as large as egg and the size of your fist.
Hail is associated with violent,thunder storms,strong Up drafts and super charged cells were the air is favorable.