"Phil Layton" wrote in message
...


For all intents and purposes its GS all the way as I rarely have seen
hail greater than 5mm in diameter.


.... your comment sent me to look at our records (Bracknell/Tawfield
since 2000), and the figures using the climatological distinction
between hail with diameters 5mm and =5mm (slightly different to that
used for the GS/GR split).

Year: dia: 5mm =5mm
2000 9 3
2001 10 0
2002 5 1
2003 9 1
2004 11 3
2005 8 2
2006 7 0 (so far)

As you write, the larger hail not common, but I wouldn't use the word
'rare'. It's surprising how large apparently 'small' hail is when you
get out there with a ruler. (To the amusement of my wife when the stuff
is absolutely heaving down!)

Martin.


--
Martin Rowley: data via -
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/booty.weather/metindex.htm
Bracknell (Wooden Hill/Tawfield), Berkshire
NGR: SU 854 667 Elev: 80m
Lat: 51DEG23MIN30SEC(N): Long: 00DEG46MIN28SEC(W)