The Effect of Hailswath Structure on Hail Suppression Experiments

Abstract

The mesoscale, individual-hailstreak structure of hailswaths can markedly affect the analysis of hail suppression experiments that are based on protecting a given area from approaching hailswaths. Calculations reveal that such an experiment may (depending on the size of the protected area and on hailstreak length) be counted as a success even when the hail suppressing activity is ineffective. This phenomenon may have contributed to serious errors in the evaluation of the pilot test program in hail suppression conducted in the Soviet Union during 1961?63, on which consequent programs were based.