Hail Cloud Formation as a Result of the Merging of Convective Cells

The results of long-term continuous radar observations of a multicellular hail system that developed over the central part of the North Caucasus June 7, 2014 are presented. The issues of the interaction of individual convective cells in the system of a single radio echo complex are discussed in detail. The main focus of the study is the formation of a hail cloud as a result of the merger of individual convective cells of the complex. The changes of the main radar parameters and microphysical characteristics of hail in the cloud during the cell merger are analyzed. It has been shown that as a result of the merge of convective cells, there is an intensification of microphysical and dynamic processes, which significantly contributes to the growth of large hail and an increase of the duration of the hail stage.