Hailstorm just freak weather — Minister

KUCHING: The hailstorm that hit parts of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor late Friday was not unusual during a severe thunderstorm.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Madius Tangau who said this explained that when cumulonimbus clouds, which are thunderstorm clouds, rise to 40,000 feet into the atmosphere, the top parts of the cloud become extremely cold.

“This makes ice crystals form. These crystals in contact with water droplets will freeze to become ice measuring 1.5cm like a ‘guli’ (marble),” he said in a press statement yesterday.

Madius was responding to the freak weather that wreaked havoc in parts of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor late Friday evening and causing damage to building and traffic gridlocks on major highways.

MetMalaysia recorded 60.2mm of rainfall from 4pm to 7pm on Friday with winds reaching 46.8km/h at 5pm.

“The occurrence of a hailstorm is normally localised, in areas under the cumulonimbus clouds. It normally lasts about 20 minutes,” he added.

Hailstorms, he elaborated, can occur anytime especially during a severe thunderstorm. When this happens, Madius urged the public to stay away from windows and motorists on the road should find shelter under a strong structure like a bridge.

“Mosti as the implementing agency (MetMalaysia) will monitor the weather pattern and provide details of forecast from time to time,” he said.

The public can check weather forecast by calling hotline 1-30022-1MET (638) or visit its website, or download myCuaca application or check the MetMalaysia social media.