2001News

Weather oddity in capital

Santo Domingo was surprised yesterday by a rare weather phenomenon: hail. It began at 3:17 p.m. and ended seven minutes later, affecting neighborhoods in Maria Auxiliadora, Miraflores, 27 de Febrero, Piantini and Paraiso, according to El Siglo. Weather forecasters at the Meteorology Institute said hail is very rare in this country. It is produced when the air circulating inside cumulo-nimbus clouds creates an electrical storm. If the air is cold enough, drops of rain turn into ice crystals and fall to the ground as hail.