The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1906-06-28
Making of Hailstones.

If one would know how a hailstone
is formed he must first dissect it. He
will find that it is composed of a
quantity of tiny crystals arranged in
cOncentric rings or zones, and each
zone in turn will have it's evidence
to give concerning the making of the
hailstOne on its way to the earth.
An atom of dust is the nucleus OF
each hailstone. The atoms of dust per-
and are found not only in the lower
strata of the air, but the winds carry
them to the tops of the highest noun
talns. So that, no matter whether sam
pies of air'are obtained by balloonists
OF mountain climbers, minute parti.
cles of dust are always to be found
in them. 1t is coming to be believed
that without these atoms of dust upon
which the moisture of the air can set
tie there would be no raindrops no
fog, no snow, dew, clouds or hail.
Without these minute platforms, as
they are called, upon which the mois-
ture condenses as it anghts, rain
would be continually pouring down
upon the earth. These notes keep the
atmosphere buoyed up till such times
as circumstances compel them to yield
up the supplies they have collected. Ii
little vapor should happen to con-
dense on particle of dust floating
aimlessly about in the air there is
the beginning OF what, under favor
able circumstances, will become full
sized hailstone
The hatlstones to attain great size
must plunge to the earth from great
height. The clouds which float at
the greatest distance from the earth
are those known as the cirrus, and are
often many miles above the tops or
the highest mountains. If the begin
ming of a hailstorm can only dive to
the earth from this height it will. in
its headlong flight, pass through strata
OF air differing very much as regards
temperature and moisture, ana these
are circumstances most favorable to
its development. But before 1t can
begin it's descent it must fino some
way of being carried up to these
heights So the journey is made by
getting into the way of one of the
strong ,asoensional currents which
spring upward from almost every part
of the earth's surface.
In such q place it is not long be-
fore the moisture on the atom of dust
freezes. The form which the frozen
moisture takes depends upon circum-
stances, but there are many POSSIBLE
tiles before 1t. It may crystalline as
a tiny pellet of snow, or may take
the shape of an ice crystal or simply
the form OF a frozen crystal or the
form OF frozen raindrop. Any OF
these shapes will serve as an excel
lent beginning for further change.
1t is easily understood that the
force OF gravitation has been con-
stantly pulling this atom of dust and
its congexted moisture toward the
ground. AS it starts on it's journey
back to the earth 1t will pass through
strata OF air which differ greatly in
moisture and temperature. Some OF
the air Will be above the freezing point
and other layers will be below it, while
It will be no uncommon thing for
the hailstonc to dash through cloud
some thousands of feet thick. Tne
hailstone itself, with its heart OF ice,
Is always below the freezing point,
so. that any moisture which settles
upon It il promptly frozen and forms
girdle OF ice about the nucleus.
Il When the Maidstone passes through
the air that Is below the freezing
point the moisture settles upon 1t In
the form OF clear zone OF ice, while
on the other hand, when the air is
moistened and Its moisture is above
the freezing point the girdle OF Ice y
opaque.