Why Hail Instead of Snow?

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. ... Hail is more common than snow, because you don't need the air to be at freezing temperatures, like snow.

Is hail colder than snow?

Hail is a chunk of a ice that can fall during thunderstorms. Unlike snow, sleet, freezing rain and graupel, which occur in colder weather, hail is most common in warm conditions.

What is it called when it's not snow but not hail?

Graupel is distinct from hail and ice pellets. Hail is common in thunderstorms, while graupel typically falls in winter storms and in convective showers especially at higher elevations. The METAR code for graupel is GS.