Strangest Hail I've Ever Seen!

[The Doctor]

We had a hail storm last night, just around tea time.

All the hail initially had a really strange shape, in that it was round at the bottom and went to a point, like a miniature ice cone. Size was about 6-7mm diameter, and the same high. It was also quite soft fluffy ice, instead of being hard ice.

I can't recall ever having seen it like that before.

Did anyone else see this, and does anyone know how or why it happened?

[HeyWayne]

You're a week too late!

[The Doctor]

Really? bummer. Thanks for letting me know though.

Did anyone get to the bottom of the cause of it?

[HeyWayne]

It does sound as if it was small hail that has picked up moisture as it's fallen, almost as if it's fallen through freezing fog or something similar.

Never seen it before myself, but then I've always headed for shelter during hail downpours.

[Nicos]

Different shape...but interesting!

ANALYSIS OF HAIL SIZES AND GIANT HAIL

HAILSTONES: IMAGES OF HAILSTONES AND DAMAGE

and see page 92 on this - it's about the conical shape- with a photo too!

Hailstorms and Hailstone Growth - Google Book Search

[The Doctor]

Blimey, some of those are HUGE!!!

Thanks for the links, Nicos.