Monday, June 26, 2006
Hailstones result of warm air: weather bureau
THE surprising hailstone accompanying downpour last Saturday in Baguio was not an ordinary occurrence, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomic Services (Pagasa) said on Sunday.
Pagasa Weather Specialist Wilson Lucando said the hailstones that accompanied the rains were a result of a weather occurrence called "convection".
He said "convection" usually happens when solar radiation heats the ground, resulting in moist warm air. The warms air then becomes lighter and rises into the atmosphere. As the air gets cooler, droplets usually form and fall to the ground in the form of rain.
But Lucando said there are times when not all water vapor turns into rain, instead forming into ice crystals or hailstones.
If the hailstones happen in farming communities in the region, Lucando said plant seedlings might be affected as a result of the ice crystals.
The municipalities of Atok and Kibungan in Benguet earlier lost P49 million as a result of the hailstones, which usually take place from November up to March. This occurrence affected more than 200 hectares of farm lots in the two towns. (RO)
(June 26, 2006 issue)
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