HAILSTREAKS

Abstract

Unique detailed hail and rain data from dense networks operated in central Illinois during 1967 and 1968 have been used to define and study in detail hailstreaks and their associated rainfall. A hailstreak is an area of continuous hail with temporal coherence and is considered an entity of hail generated within a thunderstorm. The average hailstreak represents a fast-moving, short- lived, and relatively small phenomenon. 80% of all hailstreaks had areas of less than 16 sq mi and hail impact energy values of less than 0. 1 ft-lb ft- //2. Cold fronts and unstable air mass conditions led in the production of hail systems and hail streaks, respectively.