3D Scans of Giant Hailstones Uncover Clues to Predict Future Storms

Researchers used dental CT scanners to analyze massive hailstones, revealing irregular growth patterns that could improve storm forecasting.

Scientists in Catalonia studied hailstones up to 12 cm in diameter from a destructive 2022 storm using high-resolution CT scans.
The scans revealed that even spherical hailstones have irregular internal structures, with cores often far from the center.
This study is the first to provide a complete 3D view of hailstones without breaking them, using technology borrowed from a dental clinic.
Findings suggest that hailstones grow unevenly in different directions, challenging previous assumptions about their formation.
Researchers believe these insights could enhance the ability to forecast hailstorms and mitigate damage in the future.