During hailstorms...if you do not have a measuring tool, you can determine the diameter of a hailstone by looking at the palm of your hand (how does that work?)

Arabia Weather - Knowing the size of hailstones using the palm of the hand may seem like a simple idea, but it may be useful in emergency situations when accurate measuring tools are not available. This method can help provide quick and important estimates for assessing the severity of the storm and taking necessary protection and safety measures.

Determining the diameter of a hailstone from the palm of the hand during hailstorms

Hail storms are severe weather events that can cause significant damage to agricultural crops, property, and even infrastructure. When hailstones fall, people may want to know the size of the hailstones to assess the severity and potential impact of the storm.

If you don't have an accurate measuring device, you can use the palm of your hand as an approximation to determine the diameter of a hailstone according to an image published by the European Severe Storms Laboratory (ESSL).

How to use the palm of the hand to measure hailstones

Hailstones vary in size and can be as small as peas or as large as golf balls. Using your hand as a rough measuring tool, you can estimate the diameter of the hailstones as follows:

Pea: If the hailstone is small and fits easily in the palm of your hand, its diameter is about 6 mm.

Marble: If the hailstone is the size of a marble and looks similar, its diameter is about 12-13 mm.

Walnut: If the hailstone is larger and similar in size to a walnut, its diameter ranges between 2-3 cm.

Golf Ball: If the hailstone is the size of a golf ball, its diameter is about 4-5 cm.

The importance of knowing the size of hailstones

Meteorological specialists at the Arabia Weather Center said that determining the size of hailstones can help farmers and property owners estimate potential damage to crops and property, and during severe storms, knowing the size of hailstones can help in making appropriate decisions to stay in safe places and avoid exposure to injuries.

This also helps in providing accurate reports on the size of hailstones, which can contribute to improving scientists’ understanding of weather conditions and help develop models for predicting future storms.