Abstract:
The Yunnan–Kweichow Plateau is one of the regions of China with a high frequency of hail events; however, relevant studies on hail characteristic are few. On the basis of 93 minus-level spectrum datasets collected from 60 hail events by 13 national meteorological stations in Honghe, southern Yunnan, during 2018–2023, the annual, seasonal, daily, and geographic distributions of the number of hail days, hail size, and hailfall duration as well as hail type and spectrum distribution are investigated in this study. Results show that the annual mean number of hail days was 10, with a maximum of 24 d and a minimum of 3 d. The annual mean maximum hail size was 9–16 mm, and the hailfall duration was 2–5 min. The number of hail days had apparent seasonal and diurnal variations. The number of hail days was 33 d in spring for 6 years, which accounted for more than 50% of the total 60 d during this period, with the 3 d in autumn. Most hail events occurred in the afternoon and evening. The overall hail spectrum distribution was unimodal. Higher concentrations of hail were observed in spring and summer (with a maximum hail size of 19 mm in diameter) and were dominated by high-density hail. Very few occurrences of low-density hail and graupel were observed. Hail events had apparent geographic distribution characteristic. The western and southern subregions had the highest number of hail days, which was dominated by high-density hail, and graupel and low-density hail were few. Overall, hail events in the Honghe region, Yunnan, primarily occurred in the afternoon and evening of spring. Hail events had a short duration and were dominated by high-density small-sized hail. Low-density hail and graupel were present in very low concentrations.