What atmospheric conditions are indicative of a high likelihood of hail during a storm?

The high likelihood of hail during a storm is primarily associated with strong updrafts and high humidity within the atmosphere.

Strong updrafts are critical because they allow water droplets to rise to higher altitudes where temperatures are much colder. As these droplets rise and fall within a storm, they can collide with each other, causing them to freeze and accumulate ice. Multiple cycles of this process can lead to the formation of larger hailstones, particularly when high humidity is present, as it provides ample moisture for the water droplets to grow larger.

High humidity plays a significant role, as it enhances the moisture content in the air, which is necessary for the development of severe storms capable of producing hail. The combination of strong updrafts and humidity levels allows these storms to become more intense and sustains the conditions necessary for large hail to form.

In contrast, other atmospheric conditions like a stable atmosphere with low humidity, or calm winds and dry conditions, do not provide the necessary environment for hail formation, as they limit the intensity and moisture availability for storm development.