Hail roar on tuesday

[Brian Stertz]

I have heard this a few times...usually while positioned in and near the supercell vault region. Most of the times, it sounded like a waterfall. Fortunately we avoided being in the hail "cascade" area which was precariously close at times.

 

[Andrew Sorce]

I've never experienced this as we get pathetic storms up this way. I assume that the roar comes from the hailstones all smashing off each other?

 

[Chris Hayes]

From what I understand it does come from the hailstones hitting each other up in the storm. I imagine some of it comes from them ascending an descending also.

 

[Doug Lee]

Maybe an explanation?

Just a guess why the roar could be produced by hailstones colliding in the cloud, but no or insufficient hail observed on the ground: The hailstones are colliding with each other with enough force to break them into smaller stones. Later, the smaller stones fall, but due to their reduced size, they melt into rain, or they quickly melt after reaching the ground.

To check this out, it would probably require analyzing radar data for hail size, updraft strength, turbulence, lifespan of the hail core, etc. Gibson Ridge might be able to provide that analysis, but because I don't have GR, and have only looked at it, I can't say for sure.

 

[Robert Dewey]

Just a guess why the roar could be produced by hailstones colliding in the cloud, but no or insufficient hail observed on the ground: The hailstones are colliding with each other with enough force to break them into smaller stones. Later, the smaller stones fall, but due to their reduced size, they melt into rain, or they quickly melt after reaching the ground.

To check this out, it would probably require analyzing radar data for hail size, updraft strength, turbulence, lifespan of the hail core, etc. Gibson Ridge might be able to provide that analysis, but because I don't have GR, and have only looked at it, I can't say for sure.

I think for this, you would need a mobile doppler unit with higher resolution than L2. I'm thinking that this might even be trickier than setting up the radar within the vacinity of a tornado, given that you 1) need to verify the hail roar, 2) need to get in position to measure the hail stones above the hail roar [with measurement being a) whether hailstones are coliding, b) whether they are melting before hitting the SFC, c) I'm probably missing something], 3) avoid getting struck by actual hailstones, so that you don't damage your six-figure-price-tag-doppler.

It's interesting though... and I believe it is definitely possible. I just think proving (or measuring) hail roar caused by hailstones aloft, which melt before reaching the ground, would be pretty difficult.

 

[MatthewCarman]

Heard this only once right before a big hail shaft hit. Was not sure what it was and there was no warning on tv as the severe storms for my area had already passed. This one little storm trying to catch up to the others hit and while it was very small it dropped alot of hail that covered the ground. The storm went warned for penny sized hail right after it hit my town. Looked like it had snowed outside. Had a 10 minute hailstorm in baxter once that made the ground look white like snow and stones to golf ball size but was not outside to see if it had a hail roar. I was inside staying safe lol

 

[Andrew Khan]

What induces such a aural roar? The pummulting of the hail upon the ground, can be hearod from such a distance as the chasers are. That is remarkable. I have yet to hear this, and doubtful that I will. How loud can the roar get, as close as it gets to the chaser? How do you know when the hail is a couple of yars away from your location (besides RAD).