Normalized hail particle size distributions from the T-28 storm-penetrating aircraft

Hail can also cause significant damage when it precipitates to the surface. The accurate prediction of the amount and location of hail and graupel and the effects on the other hydrometeor species depends upon the size distribution assumed.

Here, we use similar to 310 km of in situ observations from flights of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology T-28 storm-penetrating aircraft to constrain the representation of the particle size distribution (PSD) of hail. The maximum similar to 1-km hail water content encountered was 9 g m(-3). Optical probe PSD measurements are normalized using two-moment normalization relations to obtain an underlying exponential shape.