Hailstones pelt Busan on Wednesday

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Hailstones pelt Busan on Wednesday

Published: 07 Dec. 2023, 11:02 Updated: 07 Dec. 2023, 12:49

LEE SOO-JUNG
lee.soojung1@joongang.co.kr

Hailstones that hit Busan on Wednesday evening [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Busan experienced a five-minute-long downpour of hail around 9 p.m. on Wednesday, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA).

Hailstones the size of fingernails rained down across the city's Haeundae, Nam and Sasang Districts with rumbling sounds.

Heavy rain also came with the hail in Haeundae District. Hailstones turned roads white in Yeonje District.

"The sky was clear and dry, but a sudden thunderstorm and lightning struck, and the hail came," a Busan resident said.

Another resident said, "I felt that I might get some holes in my head [because of hailstones]."

Some others added they had never seen nor experienced this type of hail in Busan.

Hailstones cover the road in Yeonje District in Busan. It turns the road into the icy and slippery road. [YONHAP]

A KMA official said destabilized atmospheric conditions caused the hail.

"Hailstones usually melt and become raindrops when they pass the cloud, but, this time, it seems that they just fell to the ground being frozen.

The official warned of slippery and icy road conditions.

Busan Metropolitan Fire & Disaster Headquarters said there had been no reported or known damages as of 9:50 p.m. on Wednesday.

BY HYEON YE-SEUL, LEE SOO-JUNG [lee.soojung1@joongang.co.kr]