Hailino

Hailino refers to a type of meteorological phenomenon characterized by the precipitation of ice pellets, often in the form of small, irregular balls or lumps of ice. These formations typically occur during thunderstorms when updrafts carry raindrops high into very cold areas of the atmosphere. The water freezes and grows by colliding with other water droplets.

The size of hailino can vary significantly, from pea-sized to as large as baseballs or even grapefruit, depending on the strength of the updrafts and the duration of the hailstorm. Hailino can cause considerable damage to property, including vehicles and buildings, as well as crops and vegetation. In severe cases, large hail can also pose a risk to human and animal safety.

Hailino is distinct from sleet, which is formed when raindrops freeze before reaching the ground, resulting in small, translucent ice pellets. Hailino, conversely, forms within cumulonimbus clouds through a process of accretion. The formation and intensity of hailino are closely monitored by meteorologists to provide severe weather warnings.