Residents in the United Arab Emirates were surprised by a rare weather phenomenon – a hailstorm in the desert. Large hailstones covered roads and caused damage to homes and vehicles. Some locals were shocked by this unusual occurrence. However, is it really so exceptional for a desert nation to experience such weather? BBC Weather’s Elizabeth Rizzini has the answer.

The video shows footage of the hailstorm and explains that while it may seem unusual, hailstorms can occur in desert regions under certain conditions. Hail is formed when there are strong updrafts in thunderstorms, which can happen in desert areas as well. These updrafts carry raindrops upward into extremely cold areas of the atmosphere, where they freeze and form hailstones. When the hailstones become too heavy for the updrafts to support, they fall to the ground.

The rarity of hailstorms in the desert is due to the lack of moisture in the air. Deserts are known for their dry climates, with very little rainfall. However, when the right combination of atmospheric conditions occurs, hailstorms can occur even in these arid regions. This is why residents in the UAE were surprised by the recent hailstorm.

The video concludes by stating that while hailstorms in the desert are not common, they are not unheard of either. It is a rare weather phenomenon that can occur under specific circumstances. So, while residents may have been shocked by the hailstorm, it is not completely unprecedented for a desert nation like the UAE to experience such weather.

Original news source: UAE: A hailstorm in the desert? Rare weather phenomenon shocks residents (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

Slow

Normal

Fast

📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions:
1. Divide the class into pairs or small groups.
2. Provide each group with a copy of the article or a summary of the article.
3. Instruct the groups to read the article and create a concise summary of the main points.
4. After a designated amount of time, have each group share their summary with the class.
5. Facilitate a discussion to compare and contrast the different summaries and clarify any misunderstandings.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions:
1. Write the following question on the board: “Do you think it is unusual for a desert nation like the UAE to experience a hailstorm?”
2. Have students individually answer the question by selecting one of the following options: “Yes,” “No,” or “Not Sure.”
3. Ask each student to stand up and briefly explain their choice, providing reasons or evidence to support their opinion.
4. Facilitate a class discussion to explore the different perspectives and encourage respectful debate.

– Sketch It
Instructions:
1. Provide each student with a piece of paper and a pen or pencil.
2. Instruct the students to sketch a visual representation of the hailstorm in the desert described in the article.
3. After a designated amount of time, have students share their sketches with a partner or in small groups.
4. Encourage students to discuss their interpretations and ask questions about each other’s sketches.
5. Allow volunteers to share their sketches with the whole class and explain their artistic choices.

– Synonym Challenge
Instructions:
1. Write the following words on the board: “unusual,” “phenomenon,” “occurrence,” “atmosphere,” “arid.”
2. Instruct the students to work individually or in pairs to come up with as many synonyms as they can for each word.
3. After a designated amount of time, have students share their lists with the class.
4. Facilitate a discussion to explore the different synonyms and their nuances in meaning.
5. Encourage students to use the synonyms in sentences to demonstrate understanding and context.

– Future Predictions
Instructions:
1. Divide the class into pairs or small groups.
2. Instruct each group to imagine a different weather phenomenon that could occur in an unexpected location.
3. Have the groups discuss and make predictions about the potential causes and impacts of their chosen weather phenomenon.
4. After a designated amount of time, have each group present their predictions to the class.
5. Facilitate a discussion to compare and contrast the different predictions and encourage critical thinking about weather patterns and climate change.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What is the weather phenomenon that surprised residents in the United Arab Emirates?
2. How do hailstones form in desert regions?
3. Why are hailstorms rare in deserts?
4. What are the atmospheric conditions needed for a hailstorm to occur in a desert?
5. Were residents in the UAE completely unaware that hailstorms could happen in their country?
6. Are hailstorms a common occurrence in desert nations like the UAE?
7. Can hailstorms occur in desert regions under certain conditions?
8. What happens to the hailstones once they become too heavy for the updrafts to support?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Residents in the United Arab Emirates were surprised by a rare weather (1)______ – a hailstorm in the desert. Large hailstones covered roads and caused damage to (2)______ and (3)______. Some locals were shocked by this unusual occurrence. However, is it really so exceptional for a desert nation to experience such weather? BBC Weather’s Elizabeth Rizzini has the answer.

The (4)______ shows footage of the hailstorm and explains that while it may seem (5)______, (6)______ can occur in desert regions under certain conditions. Hail is formed when there are (7)______ updrafts in thunderstorms, which can happen in desert areas as well. These updrafts carry raindrops upward into extremely cold areas of the atmosphere, where they freeze and form (8)______. When the hailstones become too heavy for the (9)______ to (10)______, they fall to the ground.

The rarity of hailstorms in the desert is due to the lack of (11)______ in the air. Deserts are known for their dry climates, with very little rainfall. However, when the right combination of atmospheric (12)______ occurs, hailstorms can occur even in these arid regions. This is why residents in the UAE were surprised by the recent (13)______.

The video concludes by stating that while hailstorms in the desert are not (14)______, they are not unheard of either. It is a rare weather phenomenon that can occur under specific circumstances. So, while residents may have been shocked by the hailstorm, it is not completely (15)______ for a desert (16)______ like the UAE to experience such weather.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is a hailstorm?
2. Have you ever experienced a hailstorm? If so, what was it like?
3. How would you feel if you saw hailstones falling in the desert?
4. Do you think it is unusual for a desert nation to have a hailstorm? Why or why not?
5. Have you ever been surprised by a weather phenomenon? What was it and why were you surprised?
6. Do you like rainy weather? Why or why not?
7. How do you think the hailstorm in the UAE affected the residents?
8. What do you think the damage to homes and vehicles was like after the hailstorm?
9. Have you ever seen hailstones that were large enough to cause damage?
10. How do you think the hailstorm affected the local environment and wildlife?
11. Do you think climate change could be a factor in the occurrence of hailstorms in unusual places? Why or why not?
12. What other weather phenomena have you heard of that are considered rare or unusual?
13. How do you think the rarity of hailstorms in the desert affects the perception of the residents?
14. Have you ever been in a thunderstorm? If so, what was it like?
15. Do you think it is important for people to be prepared for unexpected weather events? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. phenomenon
2. hailstones
3. damage
4. vehicles
5. occurrence
6. updrafts
7. thunderstorms
8. atmosphere
9. moisture
10. climates
11. rainfall
12. arid
13. rarity
14. residents
15. unprecedented

Meanings:
(A) People living in a particular area or place
(B) Harm or injury to property or a person
(C) The typical weather conditions in a particular area
(D) Machines used for transporting people or goods, especially on land
(E) Severe weather events characterized by lightning, thunder, and heavy rain
(F) The presence of water in the air or ground
(G) The layer of gases surrounding the Earth or another planet
(H) The amount of water that falls from clouds as rain, snow, etc.
(I) The state or quality of being very uncommon or not frequent
(J) Currents of air moving upward, often associated with weather conditions
(K) An event or incident, especially one that is unusual or important
(L) Never done or known before
(M) An observable event or fact, especially one that is not fully understood
(N) Extremely dry, especially having insufficient rainfall to support trees or woody plants
(O) Small balls of ice that fall like rain, often causing harm
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What weather phenomenon surprised residents in the United Arab Emirates?
(a) Tornado
(b) Sandstorm
(c) Hailstorm
(d) Heatwave

2. How are hailstones formed?
(a) Sand particles clump together in thunderstorms
(b) Raindrops freeze in extremely cold areas of the atmosphere
(c) Moisture in the air condenses into ice crystals
(d) Ice cubes fall from the sky

3. Why are hailstorms rare in desert regions?
(a) Lack of moisture in the air
(b) Strong updrafts are uncommon
(c) Thunderstorms do not occur in deserts
(d) Hailstones cannot form in extreme heat

4. What causes hailstones to fall to the ground?
(a) They melt in the atmosphere
(b) They evaporate into thin air
(c) They become too heavy for the updrafts to support
(d) They are blown away by strong winds

5. How does the video describe the occurrence of hailstorms in the desert?
(a) Not common, but not unheard of
(b) Extremely rare and unprecedented
(c) A daily weather event in desert nations
(d) A common occurrence in arid regions

6. What is the role of updrafts in the formation of hailstones?
(a) They create strong winds that blow hailstones away
(b) They cause thunderstorms to occur in desert regions
(c) They prevent hailstones from forming in the atmosphere
(d) They carry raindrops upward into extremely cold areas of the atmosphere

7. What is the main reason why residents in the UAE were surprised by the recent hailstorm?
(a) They were not aware of the possibility of hailstorms
(b) It is a rare weather phenomenon in the desert
(c) Hailstorms are common in the UAE
(d) They were expecting a sandstorm instead

8. According to the video, what is the conclusion about hailstorms in the desert?
(a) They are a daily occurrence in desert nations
(b) They are completely unprecedented
(c) They only occur in regions with high levels of rainfall
(d) They are rare but can occur under specific circumstances

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Hailstorms in the desert are rare due to the lack of moisture in the air.
2. The hailstorm caused damage to homes and vehicles.
3. Some locals were unsurprised by the occurrence of the hailstorm.
4. Hail is formed when there are strong updrafts in thunderstorms.
5. Hailstorms cannot occur in desert regions under any conditions.
6. While uncommon, hailstorms in the desert are not unheard of and can occur under specific circumstances.
7. Residents in the United Arab Emirates did not experience a hailstorm in the desert.
8. Hailstones are formed when raindrops freeze in extremely warm areas of the atmosphere.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. Why were residents in the United Arab Emirates surprised by the recent hailstorm?
2. How are hailstones formed in desert regions?
3. What are the atmospheric conditions needed for a hailstorm to occur in a desert?
4. Why are hailstorms considered rare in desert regions?
5. How does the video conclude in regards to the occurrence of hailstorms in desert nations like the UAE?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What is the weather phenomenon that surprised residents in the United Arab Emirates?
– A hailstorm.

2. How do hailstones form in desert regions?
– Hailstones form when there are strong updrafts in thunderstorms, which carry raindrops upward into extremely cold areas of the atmosphere where they freeze and form hailstones.

3. Why are hailstorms rare in deserts?
– Hailstorms are rare in deserts because deserts are known for their dry climates with very little rainfall, which means there is usually not enough moisture in the air for hailstones to form.

4. What are the atmospheric conditions needed for a hailstorm to occur in a desert?
– The atmospheric conditions needed for a hailstorm to occur in a desert are strong updrafts in thunderstorms that can carry raindrops into extremely cold areas of the atmosphere where they freeze and form hailstones.

5. Were residents in the UAE completely unaware that hailstorms could happen in their country?
– The article does not mention whether residents in the UAE were completely unaware that hailstorms could happen in their country.

6. Are hailstorms a common occurrence in desert nations like the UAE?
– No, hailstorms are not a common occurrence in desert nations like the UAE.

7. Can hailstorms occur in desert regions under certain conditions?
– Yes, hailstorms can occur in desert regions under certain conditions, such as when there are strong updrafts in thunderstorms that carry raindrops into extremely cold areas of the atmosphere.

8. What happens to the hailstones once they become too heavy for the updrafts to support?
– Once hailstones become too heavy for the updrafts to support, they fall to the ground.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) phenomenon
(2) homes
(3) vehicles
(4) video
(5) unusual
(6) hailstorms
(7) strong
(8) hailstones
(9) updrafts
(10) support
(11) moisture
(12) conditions
(13) hailstorm
(14) common
(15) unprecedented
(16) nation
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. phenomenon
Answer: (M) An observable event or fact, especially one that is not fully understood

2. hailstones
Answer: (O) Small balls of ice that fall like rain, often causing harm

3. damage
Answer: (B) Harm or injury to property or a person

4. vehicles
Answer: (D) Machines used for transporting people or goods, especially on land

5. occurrence
Answer: (K) An event or incident, especially one that is unusual or important

6. updrafts
Answer: (J) Currents of air moving upward, often associated with weather conditions

7. thunderstorms
Answer: (E) Severe weather events characterized by lightning, thunder, and heavy rain

8. atmosphere
Answer: (G) The layer of gases surrounding the Earth or another planet

9. moisture
Answer: (F) The presence of water in the air or ground

10. climates
Answer: (C) The typical weather conditions in a particular area

11. rainfall
Answer: (H) The amount of water that falls from clouds as rain, snow, etc.

12. arid
Answer: (N) Extremely dry, especially having insufficient rainfall to support trees or woody plants

13. rarity
Answer: (I) The state or quality of being very uncommon or not frequent

14. residents
Answer: (A) People living in a particular area or place

15. unprecedented
Answer: (L) Never done or known before
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What weather phenomenon surprised residents in the United Arab Emirates?
Answer: (c) Hailstorm

2. How are hailstones formed?
Answer: (b) Raindrops freeze in extremely cold areas of the atmosphere

3. Why are hailstorms rare in desert regions?
Answer: (a) Lack of moisture in the air

4. What causes hailstones to fall to the ground?
Answer: (c) They become too heavy for the updrafts to support

5. How does the video describe the occurrence of hailstorms in the desert?
Answer: (a) Not common, but not unheard of

6. What is the role of updrafts in the formation of hailstones?
Answer: (d) They carry raindrops upward into extremely cold areas of the atmosphere

7. What is the main reason why residents in the UAE were surprised by the recent hailstorm?
Answer: (b) It is a rare weather phenomenon in the desert

8. According to the video, what is the conclusion about hailstorms in the desert?
Answer: (d) They are rare but can occur under specific circumstances
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Hailstorms in the desert are rare due to the lack of moisture in the air. (Answer: True)
2. The hailstorm caused damage to homes and vehicles. (Answer: True)
3. Some locals were unsurprised by the occurrence of the hailstorm. (Answer: False)
4. Hail is formed when there are strong updrafts in thunderstorms. (Answer: True)
5. Hailstorms cannot occur in desert regions under any conditions. (Answer: False)
6. While uncommon, hailstorms in the desert are not unheard of and can occur under specific circumstances. (Answer: True)
7. Residents in the United Arab Emirates did not experience a hailstorm in the desert. (Answer: False)
8. Hailstones are formed when raindrops freeze in extremely warm areas of the atmosphere. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧