When we talk about winter weather phenomena, it is common to confuse snow with hail, since both are precipitations in a solid state. However, their formation processes, physical characteristics and impacts in nature and society are completely different.
To better understand these differences and to be able to identify them when they occur, we will explore in detail how they form, under what conditions they occur and what effects They have snow and hail in different environments.
What is snow and how is it formed?
The snow Snow is one of the best-known forms of solid precipitation and is often associated with winter and intense cold. It occurs when water vapour in clouds freezes around small particles in the atmosphere, forming hexagonal ice crystals. These crystals join together to form the typical snowflakes that slowly fall to the ground.
For snow to form, the temperature inside the cloud must be below 0°C and there must be an adequate amount of moisture for the crystals to grow. They tend to accumulate on the ground if the temperature On the surface it is sufficiently low, which gives rise to snowy landscapes.
In addition, snow can take different forms and types, depending on factors such as temperature and humidity. The main types of snow include:
- Powder snow: Light and loose, ideal for activities such as skiing.
- Wet snow: It holds more water and compacts easily.
- Grainy snow: Similar to small ice pellets, resulting from the adhesion of supercooled water droplets to snow crystals.
Hail: a violent phenomenon
The hailUnlike snow, it is a precipitation that forms in intense storms within clouds with a large vertical development, such as cumulonimbus clouds. It forms when water droplets are carried by strong ascending currents to areas of the cloud where temperatures are extremely low, freezing in the process.
As these ice flakes rise and fall within the cloud on air currents, they continue to accumulate new layers of ice until their weight is great enough to fall to the surface.
El size Hail can range from small granules of a few millimetres to ice stones measuring more than 10 centimetres in diameter. Its impact can be devastating, causing damage to crops, vehicles and roofs, as well as posing a danger to people.
Key differences between snow and hail
Although both are forms of solid precipitation, snow and hail have significant differences:
- Training process: Snow forms slowly within clouds at sub-zero temperatures, while hail develops amid thunderstorms with strong air currents.
- Structure: Snow is composed of branching ice crystals, while hail has concentric layers of solid ice.
- Form of precipitation: Snow falls softly and can accumulate on the ground, while hail falls hard and can cause damage.
- Period in which it occurs: Snow is most common in winter, while hail can occur at any time of year if stormy conditions are present.
Phenomena related to snow and hail
There are other types of precipitation that can be confused with snow or hail:
- Sleet: A mixture of snow and rain that occurs when snowflakes partially melt before hitting the ground.
- Small hail or graupel: Similar to snow pellets, it forms when supercooled water droplets freeze around snow crystals.
- Freezing rain: These are drops of liquid water that freeze when they come into contact with cold surfaces.
Impact of hail and snow on society
Both phenomena can have significant effects on everyday life:
- Snow: It can cause roadblocks, damage on infrastructure and affect mobility, but it is also beneficial for winter sports and water supply in mountainous areas.
- Hail: It causes damage to agriculture, vehicles and roofs, as well as posing safety risks in severe storms.
Understanding the differences between snow and hail makes it easier to identify them and to anticipate the impacts they can cause. While snow transforms landscapes and is key to many ecosystems, hail is often a more destructive phenomenon. Both play an important role in meteorology and knowing how to interpret their signs allows us to take precautions when they appear.