Variability of Hailstorms on the South African Plateau

Abstract

Detailed climatological studies of hailstorms on the South African plateau have been made using a dense network of voluntary observers. Hailstone structures have been investigated and, since 1971, radar observations have been used to study storm characteristics. Results are given for the frequency of hailstorm occurrence, characteristics of hailfalls at a point, hail paths, types of storms, radar characteristics and hailstone trajectories. Practically all features showed great variability, the magnitude of which is given whenever possible. Application of the results to the design of a hail suppression experiment is briefly discussed.