A New Method Using Real Hail and CT Scanning Has Revealed How They Develop.
On April 14, 1986, Gopalganj district in Bangladesh experienced one of the most historic hailstorms, resulting in 92 fatalities. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), these giant hailstones weighing up to 1.02 kg (2.2 pounds) set a tragic world record.
More than three decades later, as climate change intensifies extreme weather phenomena, giant hail continues to occur. A recent study focused on the shocking hailstorm in Catalonia, Spain, in 2022, aiming to understand how these enormous ice spheres form and develop.
Climate change increases extreme weather phenomena, and giant hail continues to occur.
2022 Catalonia Hailstorm: Clues from Giant Ice Samples
The 2022 storm in Catalonia left behind astonishingly large hailstones, some reaching a diameter of up to 12 cm (4.7 inches). Notably, some local residents preserved these ice samples in freezers, providing valuable research opportunities for scientists.
Using computed tomography (CT) scanning techniques, a research team at the University of Barcelona, led by Professor Xavier Úbeda, obtained detailed images of the internal structure of the hailstones without destroying the samples.
“This technique provides information about the internal layers, allowing us to observe the development process of the hailstones,” Professor Úbeda shared.
Perfectly spherical hailstones also have complex structures.
Exploring the Internal Structure of Hailstones
The CT scan results revealed that even perfectly spherical hailstones possess complex structures, with unevenly developed layers. The inner core, known as the embryo, is often not centered but rather offset to one side. This reflects the formation process of hail under the influence of various atmospheric factors.
“This technique helps us analyze the density and structure of the layers of hail, providing insights into the developmental stages of hailstones,” added co-author Professor Javier Martin-Vide.
A Significant Advance in Extreme Weather Forecasting
The study demonstrated the effectiveness of non-invasive methods in analyzing hail, opening up the potential for improving forecasts of hazardous weather phenomena.
“This is the first time we have been able to directly observe the entire internal structure of hailstones. This technique could help predict more accurately when dangerous storms will occur,” noted Carme Farnell Barqué, a researcher at the Catalonia Meteorological Service.
Climate Change and the Future of Hail
Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather phenomena, including hail. The new findings from this study not only provide additional knowledge about the formation of giant hailstones but also open up hopes for better preparedness against future natural threats.
The research was published in Frontiers in Environmental Science, marking a significant advancement in the field of meteorology. From the tragic lessons of 1986 in Bangladesh to scientific achievements in 2022 in Spain, humanity continually seeks to understand and adapt to the harshness of nature.
