Environmental and Radar Characteristics of Gargantuan Hail-Producing Storms

Abstract Storms that produce gargantuan hail (defined here as ≥ 6 inches or 15 cm in maximum dimension), although seemingly rare, can cause extensive damage to property and infrastructure, injury even death humans animals. Currently, we are limited our ability accurately predict detect on radar. In this study, analyze the environments radar characteristics of hail-producing storms define parameter space which occurs, compare environmental parameters signatures these producing other sizes hail. We find traditionally used for severe prediction, such most unstable convective available potential energy (MUCAPE) 0–6 km vertical wind shear, display considerable overlap between storm those smaller There is a slight tendency larger MUCAPE values cases, however. Additionally, seem have low-level storm-relative winds updraft widths than hail, implying updrafts less diluted by entrainment perhaps maximizing liquid water content growth. Moreover, reflectivity products derived from it not different cases sizes. However, inferred mesocyclonic rotational velocities within growth region significantly stronger found categories.