Hailstones reported in Martinique

Photo of hailstones in Martinique. Photo: France-Antilles

The media in Martinique is reporting the “very rare” phenomenon of hailstones falling in that neighboring French Island.

According to news outlet France-Antilles, the event took place on Monday afternoon mainly in the areas of François and Lamentin, much to the surprise of residents.

Météo-France has confirmed the event, describing it as “exceptional,” according to France-Antilles.

It said the phenomenon is linked to very dense vertical movement of water drops that go up and down. Combined with cold air from the American continent, these drops arrive on the ground in the form of hail.

It also said heavy rains, which caused widespread flooding in Martinique on Monday, have contributed to the bizarre phenomenon.

In March 2016 the same phenomenon took place in Saint-Claude in Guadeloupe.

France-Antilles said although this is very rare, it is not impossible for it to occur in the Caribbean.

Hailstones are small lumps of ice that form in clouds and fall to the ground when their size reaches 5 mm in diameter or larger. They begin as water droplets that freeze in the clouds.

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11 Comments

  1. What?
    April 19, 2018

    This event is a forewarning of things to come, read your bible and learn how The Creator uses storms and weather to carry out his mandates. All of us in the Caribbean need to change our ways and repent and get closer to our Creator, if not, be aware of the years 2030-2036.

  2. The prophet
    April 18, 2018

    Behold, the Ides are upon us and the ice maiden cometh. These in power beware!

  3. Arl James
    April 18, 2018

    Back in April 1999, about the 19th or thereabouts, much smaller-sized hail fell in the Penville up north. That day, the island experienced a lot of rain, but those showers were more intense in the northern third of the island. Some readers may recall this.

  4. “In March 2016 the same phenomenon took place in Saint-Claude in Guadeloupe.”

    This may well not be a phenomenon anymore; it is the reality of climate change considering it also hailed in the Village of Penville  prior to March 2016 to what took place in Guadeloupe!

    In the 1970’s on the island of Antigua one morning I woke up to find the grass in front of my was covered with particles of ice, by the time they were touched they quickly dissolved into water!

  5. prophet for a profit
    April 17, 2018

    global warming. Soon we should be experiencing some snow. We may even begin to have tornadoes,

    • Chess game
      April 17, 2018

      Had snow in St.Claud, Guada last year.

      • derp
        April 17, 2018

        you mean flurries I would hardly call that snow xD

      • prophet for a profit
        April 18, 2018

        derp flurries is snow. Definitely. not heavy snow fall but it is snow.

    • Dante Jones
      April 17, 2018

      How does global WARMİNG cause hail to fall in the middle of a tropical zone?

      • jim
        April 18, 2018

        :lol: loooool your right your right

  6. Pete
    April 17, 2018

    Hope it’s didn’t cause too much destruction especially to vehicles

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