hail

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Precipitation in the form of pellets of ice (hailstones). Water droplets freeze as they are carried upwards. As the circulation continues, layers of ice are deposited around the droplets until they become too heavy to be supported by the air current and they fall as a hailstorm. It is caused by the circulation of moisture in strong convection currents, usually within cumulonimbus clouds.

The crown emblem was modernized in 1982. The colours date back to the 18th century. Effective date: 18 September 1982. >>