It seems like the topic of the weather arises whenever gardeners get together, but especially when there’s been unsettled weather like storms or unseasonable temperatures. But this past week, most of our community experienced hailstorms. As we all know, hail can deliver a lot of damage at any time of year.
Did the garden suffer damage? Was it joining the rain as it was coming down? How long did it last? No two stories were alike. Personally, our vegetables suffered only a few torn leaves on the tomato and pepper plants, but my greenhouse tells a different story. When I opened the door, the first sign was obvious, the floor was soaking wet. I looked up. Yes, there were more than several holes in the roof, holes about the size of the hail that had been pummeling down. No worries, the roof can be replaced, nothing else was damaged and currently the potted plants are all enjoying the increased air circulation.
According to NOAA, the weather cycle for hail often starts with updrafts, caused by intense heat or atmospheric instability. This warm, moist air can create tall thunder clouds where the air in the upper atmosphere is below freezing. The frozen drops that are suspended in the cloud collide with water that is still liquid, which freezes on contact. The hailstones continue to grow as liquid drops add layer upon layer to the ice pieces.
Each hailstone continues to cycle up and down in the storm until it grows too heavy for rising winds to keep it afloat (or the draft weakens), then the heavy ball of ice plummets downward to earth. Yikes. No wonder they seemed to suddenly appear out of nowhere.
If you are wondering if there are methods to predict hail on short notice, you are not alone. Years ago, while listening to a local radio station, we received a short warning that it should arrive in 15 to 20 minutes. Yes, this was in the heat of the summer with tomato, pepper and tomatillo plants all standing tall and loaded with unripe fruit. We had just enough time to drag out the sheets we use to cover the garden during an early frost warning. Also, overturned buckets make an excellent source of protection for smaller plants. And we were home.
So, what can gardeners do in anticipation of a hailstorm when they are not available to cover it? Keep your tomatoes and other tall plants well-staked; there is less chance for damage if they are still upright than if the wind has knocked them to the ground. Harvest routinely, there will be more produce safely undercover and the plants won’t be as heavy. Watch weather patterns and predictions; there is a greater likelihood of hail during a thunderstorm than light rain or sunny weather.
Hail differs from frozen, sleet, or ice pellets in that these all start as rain and then freeze on the way down. They are smaller particles and usually mushy. Hail is a layered ball of ice, larger than sleet or ice pellets and very solid. Be more aware during hot weather when you see thunder clouds forming. This could be a warning that hail may be forthcoming.
Linda Morrison, a University of Washington graduate, lives in Kamiah with her husband, Jim. They enjoy gardening, canning, camping, berry picking and spending time with their grandchildren.
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