NEA confirms it was raining hailstones in Singapore
By Satish Cheney, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 27 March 2008 1927 hrs

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SINGAPORE: The sudden downpour on Thursday afternoon brought more than just heavy rain.

Hailstones were raining down in some parts of Singapore, according to callers to Channel NewsAsia’s hotline.

The National Environment Agency later confirmed that hailstones were reported in central Singapore between 3.15pm and 3.45pm.

Callers said the hailstones were the size of 5 cent coins.

They were seen mainly in Bishan, Toa Payoh and Ang Mo Kio.

Rosie Hoe, a witness to the hailstones in Bishan, said: "We tried to take photographs but it doesn't show on our cameras. So, they were calling their friends and all to come and see. So, there were actually quite a lot of people here."

It's believed the hailstones fell for about 20 minutes before subsiding.

The last hailstone incident was reported in July 2007.

Hailstones form in intense thunderstorm clouds. Such clouds develop when there is strong convection, which occur all year round in the tropics.

Generally, the hailstones would have been melted before they reach the ground.

However, in the presence of a strong downdraft in an intense thunderstorm, the hailstones can be brought to the ground rapidly without melting. - CNA/vm