On the melting of hailstones

Calculations have been made on the rate of melting of solid ice spheres and of graupel particles as they fall from the 0°C level towards the ground. Graphs are drawn for particles of various initial radii showing the radius of the unmelted core as a function of the distance fallen, and the distances which the particles must fall in order to melt completely. The effects of acquiring additional water by condensation and by the accretion of cloud droplets on the rate of melting of the particles are investigated.