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<p>A rare hailstorm occurred on 26 May 2022 at Gadanki, India, a region not typically prone to hail. The event was analyzed using X-band polarimetric radar and L-band wind profiler observations. Hailstorms generally develop when strong synoptic forcing interacts with local atmospheric drivers. In this case, however, the hailstorm formed under weak synoptic forcing and limited wind shear, might be due to the convergence of downdrafts. Tracking of two convective cells showed that they followed independent paths, driven primarily by internal storm dynamics in a weak horizontal flow environment. The downdrafts in forward-flank of these cells converged over Gadanki, lifting pre-existing liquid and ice hydrometeors to colder levels. Rapid intensification occurred within approximately nine minutes through riming and accretion, leading to hail formation. The storm produced hailstones up to 2&#xa0;cm in diameter for about 10&#xa0;min at the surface, despite the 0&#xa0;°C isotherm being near 4.5&#xa0;km altitude. A newly developed cell later merged with the remnants of the initial two cells, prolonging the storm’s lifetime. L-band wind profiler data indicate dry growth of hail above 7&#xa0;km, followed by wet growth at lower altitudes. The observed hailstones, characterized by a white core surrounded by clear ice, further support this transition from dry to wet growth. Polarimetric radar signatures—reflectivity exceeding 50 dBZ, near-zero differential reflectivity, and moderate specific differential phase (3–4°/km)—confirm the presence of wet hail near the surface. These multifrequency radar observations provide new insights into hail formation under weak synoptic and wind shear conditions.</p>

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Multifrequency radar observations of a dynamically-driven rare hailstorm formed under weak synoptic forcing environment

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月15日

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  • Roshan Kadbhane,
  • Basivi Radhakrishna,
  • Thota Narayana Rao,
  • P. Suneetha

摘要

A rare hailstorm occurred on 26 May 2022 at Gadanki, India, a region not typically prone to hail. The event was analyzed using X-band polarimetric radar and L-band wind profiler observations. Hailstorms generally develop when strong synoptic forcing interacts with local atmospheric drivers. In this case, however, the hailstorm formed under weak synoptic forcing and limited wind shear, might be due to the convergence of downdrafts. Tracking of two convective cells showed that they followed independent paths, driven primarily by internal storm dynamics in a weak horizontal flow environment. The downdrafts in forward-flank of these cells converged over Gadanki, lifting pre-existing liquid and ice hydrometeors to colder levels. Rapid intensification occurred within approximately nine minutes through riming and accretion, leading to hail formation. The storm produced hailstones up to 2 cm in diameter for about 10 min at the surface, despite the 0 °C isotherm being near 4.5 km altitude. A newly developed cell later merged with the remnants of the initial two cells, prolonging the storm’s lifetime. L-band wind profiler data indicate dry growth of hail above 7 km, followed by wet growth at lower altitudes. The observed hailstones, characterized by a white core surrounded by clear ice, further support this transition from dry to wet growth. Polarimetric radar signatures—reflectivity exceeding 50 dBZ, near-zero differential reflectivity, and moderate specific differential phase (3–4°/km)—confirm the presence of wet hail near the surface. These multifrequency radar observations provide new insights into hail formation under weak synoptic and wind shear conditions.