Theory 19/Phase & ice/Hail
Hailstone Size Is Updraft Against Fall
The claim
Maximum hailstone size is set by the ratio of updraft speed to terminal fall speed, so a stone grows only while it is held aloft.
01Mechanism
Growth requires repeated ascent through supercooled water; the ratio sets the time available.
02Prediction
Size should track the ratio.
03Refutation
Size tracking storm height would remove the fall speed.