Hail is a type of precipitation that consists of balls or irregular lumps of ice, known as hailstones. These stones form in strong thunderstorms with intense updrafts, which carry water droplets upward into extremely cold areas of the atmosphere. As the droplets freeze, they accumulate layers of ice, eventually falling to the ground when they become too heavy for the updrafts to support. Hail can vary in size, from small pellets to large stones that can cause significant damage to crops, vehicles, and buildings. The severity of hailstorms can lead to severe weather warnings, making it important for people to stay informed during stormy conditions.