Hail is a form of precipitation consisting of solid ice that forms inside thunderstorm updrafts. It is associated with high, vertical cumulonimbus clouds, the kind of clouds that produce severe thunderstorms. Hailstones are a frozen form of precipitation that occurs when thunderstorm updrafts lift rain above the freezing level in the atmosphere. When hailstones become too heavy to be lifted by the updraft, they fall to the ground. Here are some key facts about hail:

• Hailstones can range in size from 5 mm (about 0.2 inch) to more than 15 cm (about 6 inches) in diameter.
• Hailstones can be dangerous and cause damage to property, crops, and vehicles.
• Hailstones can be partially clear or cloudy, depending on the process by which they form.
• Hail is most common within continental interiors of the mid-latitudes, as hail formation is considerably more likely when the freezing level is below the altitude of 11,000 ft (3,400 m) .
• Hail can only get bigger if there is an updraft in a thunderstorm that suspends it long enough for more freezing to occur.

In summary, hail is a type of precipitation that forms inside thunderstorm updrafts and can range in size from small pellets to large balls of ice. It can be dangerous and cause damage to property and crops.