Hail
Hailstones form in strong thunderstorms. This topic is part of Weather within Science & Nature. This page currently draws on 13 supporting questions, with answers and bonus facts available below.
Hail trivia questions
Hail consists of balls or lumps of what?
Answer: Ice
Bonus fact: Hailstones form in strong thunderstorms.
What type of cloud commonly produces hail?
Answer: Cumulonimbus
Bonus fact: Strong thunderstorm updrafts in cumulonimbus clouds grow hailstones.
Why can hailstones grow in layers?
Answer: Updrafts carry them repeatedly through freezing cloud regions
Bonus fact: Repeated cycles through supercooled droplets can add concentric ice layers.
Who caught Staubach's famous 1975 Hail Mary?
Answer: Drew Pearson
Bonus fact: The pass beat Minnesota in an NFC playoff game.
In the NWS three-stage thunderstorm life cycle, which stage is most likely to produce hail, heavy rain, frequent lightning, strong winds, and tornadoes?
Answer: Mature stage
Bonus fact: A mature thunderstorm can reach roughly 40,000 to 60,000 feet in depth.
What is the name for water that falls from clouds as rain, snow, sleet, or hail?
Answer: Precipitation
Bonus fact: Precipitation is a major part of Earth's water cycle.
Hail is made of what?
Answer: Ice
Bonus fact: Hailstones grow inside strong thunderstorms.
A Hail Mary pass is usually what kind of play?
Answer: Long desperation pass
Bonus fact: It is often attempted near the end of a half or game.
The football term 'Hail Mary' became famous after a 1975 Cowboys touchdown thrown by whom?
Answer: Roger Staubach
Bonus fact: Staubach said he closed his eyes and said a Hail Mary.
Which two air pollutants are the main precursors that form acid rain?
Answer: Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides
Bonus fact: Acid deposition can occur as rain, snow, fog, hail, or dry particles and gases.
A mature thunderstorm often reaches approximately what vertical depth?
Answer: 40,000 to 60,000 feet
Bonus fact: The mature stage is also when hail, heavy rain, lightning, strong winds, and tornadoes are most likely.
Which cloud type is typically tall, dense, and associated with thunderstorms?
Answer: Cumulonimbus
Bonus fact: Cumulonimbus clouds can produce heavy rain, lightning, hail, and severe weather.