Why the hailstones which fell in Sheffield were so big

Pictures posted on social media showed people across the city holding handfuls of large hailstones after they fell during thunderstorms which brought the heatwave to an abrupt end.

MORE: GIANT hailstones spotted in Sheffield as thunderstorms sweep city

Craig Snell, a meteorologist with the Met Office, revealed the reason for their size.

“Usually in the winter when we have hail it is quite small,” he said.

“But this time of the year, because the heat gives the thunderstorms more energy and helps keep the hailstones up in the clouds for longer, they get to grow more and then fall from the sky."

In today’s weather, South Yorkshire is currently under a Met Office warning for heavy rain.

The alert, which lasts until 10pm, warns that downpours could lead to flooding in some places across the region.

MORE: 'Fly high mum, I love you’: Sheffield United star's touching tribute as mum dies

Editor's message

Thank you for reading this story. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on our advertisers and thus our revenues.

The Star is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism.

You can subscribe here www.thestar.co.uk/subscriptions for unlimited access to Sheffield news and information online.

Every subscription helps us continue providing trusted, local journalism and campaign on your behalf for our city.