Weather Alerts for New York

This map shows recent moisture content over North America. Bright and colored areas show high moisture (ie, clouds); brown indicates very little moisture present; black indicates no moisture.

Weather Topic: What is Hail?

Home - Education - Precipitation - Hail

Hail Next Topic: Hole Punch Clouds

Hail is a form of precipitation which is recognized by large solid balls or clumps of ice. Hail is created by thunderstorm clouds with strong updrafts of wind. As the hailstones remain in the updraft, ice is deposited onto them until their weight becomes heavy enough for them to fall to the earth's surface.

Hail storms can cause significant damage to crops, aircrafts, and man-made structures, despite the fact that the duration is usually less than ten minutes.

Next Topic: Hole Punch Clouds

Weather Topic: What are Mammatus Clouds?

Home - Education - Cloud Types - Mammatus Clouds

Mammatus Clouds Next Topic: Nimbostratus Clouds

A mammatus cloud is a cloud with a unique feature which resembles a web of pouches hanging along the base of the cloud.

In the United States, mammatus clouds tend to form in the warmer months, commonly in the Midwest and eastern regions.

While they usually form at the bottom of a cumulonimbis cloud, they can also form under altostratus, altocumulus, stratocumulus, and cirrus clouds. Mammatus clouds warn that severe weather is close.

Next Topic: Nimbostratus Clouds