Snow vs. Hail: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on January 17, 2024
Snow is soft, frozen water vapor forming white flakes, while hail is hard, ice pellets formed by thunderstorms.
Key Differences
Snow forms in cold clouds through the accumulation of water vapor into ice crystals, creating soft, unique flakes. Hail is formed in strong thunderstorm clouds where water droplets freeze into hard, layered ice pellets.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 17, 2024
Snow typically falls in calm, cold conditions and accumulates gently, covering landscapes in a white layer. Hail, however, falls during thunderstorms, often in warmer conditions, and can cause damage due to its hardness and velocity.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 17, 2024
The structure of snow is delicate, intricate, and crystalline, often used as a symbol of winter's beauty. Hailstones are solid, round, and can vary in size, sometimes reaching the size of golf balls or larger, posing a risk to safety and property.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 17, 2024
The accumulation of snow can disrupt transportation and daily life but also offers opportunities for winter sports. Hail, on the other hand, primarily poses a risk to crops, vehicles, and structures due to its potential for damage.
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Jan 17, 2024
Snow can persist on the ground for days to months, gradually melting or compacting. Hail usually melts soon after falling, except in rare cases of extremely large accumulations.
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Jan 17, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Formation
Water vapor freezing in cold clouds
Water droplets freezing in thunderstorm clouds
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Jan 17, 2024
Conditions
Falls in calm, cold weather
Falls during thunderstorms, often in warmer weather
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Jan 17, 2024
Impact
Gentle accumulation, disrupts transportation
Can cause damage to crops and property
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Jan 17, 2024
Persistence
Can last on the ground for a long period
Usually melts quickly after falling
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Jan 17, 2024
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Snow and Hail Definitions
Snow
Frozen water vapor falling in white flakes.
The city looked beautiful covered in fresh snow.
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Jan 03, 2024
Hail
Often associated with severe thunderstorms.
Hail is a common occurrence in these thunderstorms.
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Jan 03, 2024
Snow
Often symbolizes winter and cold conditions.
Snow is a common theme in holiday decorations.
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Jan 03, 2024
Hail
Solid precipitation in the form of ice.
Hail can vary in size from small pebbles to large balls of ice.
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Jan 03, 2024
Snow
Essential surface for skiing and snowboarding.
The mountain had perfect snow for skiing.
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Jan 03, 2024
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Hail
Precipitation in the form of spherical or irregular pellets of ice larger than 5 millimeters (0.2 inch) in diameter, usually associated with thunderstorms.
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Jan 02, 2024
Snow
Acts as a natural insulator.
The snow insulated the cabin, keeping it warm.
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Jan 03, 2024
Hail
Something that falls with the force and quantity of a shower of ice and hard snow
A hail of pebbles.
A hail of criticism.
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Jan 02, 2024
Snow
Frozen precipitation consisting of hexagonally symmetrical ice crystals that form soft, white flakes.
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Jan 02, 2024
Snow
The white specks on a television screen resulting from weak reception.
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Jan 02, 2024
Hail
To greet or acclaim enthusiastically
The crowds hailed the boxing champion.
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Jan 02, 2024
Snow
(uncountable) The frozen, crystalline state of water that falls as precipitation.
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Jan 02, 2024
Hail
To call out or yell in order to catch the attention of
Hail a cabdriver.
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Jan 02, 2024
Snow
(countable) A snowfall; a blanket of frozen, crystalline water.
We have had several heavy snows this year.
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Jan 02, 2024
Hail
S or pieces of ice falling as precipitation, often in connection with a thunderstorm.
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Jan 02, 2024
Snow
(uncountable) The moving pattern of random dots displayed on a television, etc., when no transmission signal is being received.
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Jan 02, 2024
Hail
A rapid, intense barrage by a large number of projectiles or other objects.
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Jan 02, 2024
Hail
(impersonal) Of hail, to fall from the sky.
They say it's going to hail tomorrow.
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Jan 02, 2024
Snow
A two-masted, square-rigged vessel, trysail-mast stepped immediately abaft the main mast.
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Jan 02, 2024
Hail
(intransitive) To send or release hail.
The cloud would hail down furiously within a few minutes.
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Jan 02, 2024
Snow
(impersonal) To have snow fall from the sky.
It is snowing.
It started to snow.
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Jan 02, 2024
Snow
(colloquial) To hoodwink someone, especially by presenting confusing information.
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Jan 02, 2024
Snow
(poker) To bluff in draw poker by refusing to draw any cards{{cite-book
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Jan 02, 2024
Snow
A square-rigged vessel, differing from a brig only in that she has a trysail mast close abaft the mainmast, on which a large trysail is hoisted.
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Jan 02, 2024
Hail
(transitive) To call out loudly in order to gain the attention of.
Hail a taxi.
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Jan 02, 2024
Snow
Watery particles congealed into white or transparent crystals or flakes in the air, and falling to the earth, exhibiting a great variety of very beautiful and perfect forms.
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Jan 02, 2024
Hail
To indicate, from a designated stop or otherwise, to the driver of a public transport vehicle that one wishes to board and travel on the vehicle, usually using hand signals such as waving.
In Melbourne, you would usually have to hail a tram when you are travelling late at night and there are no other passengers waiting at your stop.
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Jan 02, 2024
Snow
Fig.: Something white like snow, as the white color (argent) in heraldry; something which falls in, or as in, flakes.
The field of snow with eagle of black therein.
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Jan 02, 2024
Snow
To fall in or as snow; - chiefly used impersonally; as, it snows; it snowed yesterday.
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Jan 02, 2024
Hail
An exclamation of respectful or reverent salutation, or, occasionally, of familiar greeting.
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Jan 02, 2024
Hail
Small roundish masses of ice precipitated from the clouds, where they are formed by the congelation of vapor. The separate masses or grains are called hailstones.
Thunder mixed with hail,Hail mixed with fire, must rend the Egyptian sky.
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Jan 02, 2024
Snow
A layer of snowflakes (white crystals of frozen water) covering the ground
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Jan 02, 2024
Snow
Conceal one's true motives from especially by elaborately feigning good intentions so as to gain an end;
He bamboozled his professors into thinking that he knew the subject well
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Jan 02, 2024
Hail
To name; to designate; to call.
And such a son as all men hailed me happy.
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Jan 02, 2024
Snow
Refers to precipitation in the form of ice crystals.
The forecast predicts heavy snow tomorrow.
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Jan 03, 2024
Hail
To declare, by hailing, the port from which a vessel sails or where she is registered; hence, to sail; to come; - used with from; as, the steamer hails from New York.
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Jan 02, 2024
Hail
To report as one's home or the place from whence one comes; to come; - with from.
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Jan 02, 2024
Hail
An exclamation of respectful or reverent salutation, or, occasionally, of familiar greeting.
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Jan 02, 2024
Hail
Precipitation of ice pellets when there are strong rising air currents
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Jan 02, 2024
Hail
Praise vociferously;
The critics hailed the young pianist as a new Rubinstein
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Jan 02, 2024
Hail
Pellets of frozen rain falling in showers.
The sudden hailstorm dented the cars.
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Jan 03, 2024
Hail
Known for causing damage to crops and vehicles.
The farmer worried about hail damaging his crops.
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Jan 03, 2024
Hail
Refers to a specific type of solid precipitation.
The weather report issued a hail warning for the area.
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Jan 03, 2024
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What causes snow to form?
Snow forms from water vapor in cold clouds turning into ice crystals.
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Jan 17, 2024
Is snow always white?
Snow typically appears white due to the reflection of light by the ice crystals.
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Jan 17, 2024
Can hail occur in summer?
Yes, hail can occur in summer, especially during severe thunderstorms.
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Jan 17, 2024
Is hail dangerous?
Hail can be dangerous, causing injury and damage to property and crops.
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Jan 17, 2024
How does hail differ from rain?
Hail is frozen rain that forms ice pellets, whereas rain is liquid precipitation.
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Jan 17, 2024
How big can hail get?
Hailstones can grow very large, some reaching the size of a grapefruit.
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Jan 17, 2024
What's the largest snowflake ever recorded?
The largest snowflake reported was 15 inches wide, recorded in Montana in 1887.
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Jan 17, 2024
Does snow have any uses?
Snow is used for winter sports, water supply, and as a natural insulator.
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Jan 17, 2024
What time of year is hail most common?
Hail is most common in the spring and summer months.
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Jan 17, 2024
Can snowfall be predicted accurately?
Snowfall can be predicted, but exact amounts and impacts can vary depending on changing weather conditions.
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Jan 17, 2024
What are the economic impacts of hail?
Hail can have significant economic impacts, especially on agriculture, insurance, and property repair.
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Jan 17, 2024
Can snow fall at temperatures above freezing?
Yes, snow can fall at temperatures slightly above 32°F (0°C) if conditions are right.
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Jan 17, 2024
What is the water content of snow?
The water content of snow varies, typically ranging from 5% to 32% of its volume.
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Jan 17, 2024
Why does hail form mostly in thunderstorms?
Hail forms in thunderstorms due to strong updrafts that keep droplets aloft, allowing them to freeze.
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Jan 17, 2024
How does snow affect ecosystems?
Snow provides moisture, affects temperature regulation, and acts as a habitat for some wildlife.
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Jan 17, 2024
Are there different types of hail?
Hail can vary in size and density, but it's generally classified by size rather than type.
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Jan 17, 2024
Can hailstones be different colors?
Hailstones are usually transparent or white, but can contain layers or impurities causing coloration.
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Jan 17, 2024
Is snow a form of fresh water?
Yes, snow is a form of fresh water and contributes to water sources when it melts.
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Jan 17, 2024
What's the difference between sleet and hail?
Sleet is smaller ice pellets formed by freezing rain, while hail is larger and formed in thunderstorms.
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Jan 17, 2024
How do snowflakes form unique patterns?
Snowflakes form unique patterns based on temperature and humidity as they fall.
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Jan 17, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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