TALLAHASSEE, Fl. (WTXL) -- Every Tuesday on WTXL Sunrise, you'll be able to have one of your own weather questions answered by Meteorologist Alex Cordero.
This week, our question is from Sarita Solis, from Florida.
Her question: "Why does it Hail in Florida but not Snow?"
First, let's clarify and say that it CAN snow in Florida and South Georgia, though it is very rare.
Lets start with hail formation. Hail can occur at any season, and it occurs during strong thunderstorms. Every storm has an updraft that gathers super-cooled water droplets in an updraft. The stronger the storm, the stronger the updraft and the longer the time these droplets can combine with each other. Once they get too heavy, they will fall to the surface as hail.
Snow is different. You need a shower or storm to be in an area where the air is frozen from the surface to the ground. The air must be freezing all the way through, or else the result is sleet or freezing rain.
The pictures above are diagrams from the National Weather Service that further explain the processes of both hail and winter precipitation, including snow. Hail is more common than snow, because you don't need the air to be at freezing temperatures, like snow.
Remember you can send your questions to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or send them to ACORDERO@WTXL.TV
