CCTV News: On May 16, the Beijing Meteorological Observatory issued three warning messages, thunder, hail and strong winds, which is the second hail warning message released this week. What does it mean that strong convective weather is coming in so frequently? How should we deal with such weather from personal protection to the entire public safety?

Why do strong convective weather frequently come in groups?

Chief Forecaster of Beijing Meteorological Observatory Zhai Liang: In Beijing, after May, strong convective weather began to enter a high incidence period. As the cold and warm air begins to become more active, strong convective weather occurs in May and June, so it is also a high-incidence period for hail. When strong convective weather occurs from July to September, hail will still occur. Since hail weather occurs in strong convective weather, it is due to the strong development of thunderstorms. As the strong development of thunderstorms, short-term thunderstorms will occur, including strong winds. Therefore, when hail weather occurs, it may often be accompanied by short-term heavy rainfall and thunderstorms and strong winds.

How to better deal with hail attacks?

Zhai Liang: At present, from a scientific perspective, it is still very difficult for us to forecast and warning of hail. After receiving the forecast and warning of hail weather, we should try to avoid being outdoors and find a safe place. Generally speaking, hail weather is a strong convective weather, and the accompanying weather may also include strong winds, thunder, etc. When hiding, do not hide under the big trees to prevent lightning damage and impact. Pay attention to strong winds and driving safety when driving.

When and in which areas people need to pay special attention to strong convective weather?

President of China Meteorological Service Association Xu Xiaofeng: Hail weather may occur almost everywhere, but relatively strong or frequent places are North China and Southwest, such as the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the northwest and eastern regions, including some areas in Xinjiang. These places may occur more frequently. Although it can happen, the seasons of occurrence are different. Taking Beijing as an example in North China, it happens more frequently from May to June. From the perspective of hail prevention, this period may require more vigilance. If it is July and August, such as North China enters the rainy season, large-scale rainfall, floods and floods may be our main targets of prevention. Therefore, in different seasons and different weather phenomena, we need to pay attention to the forecast and early warning of the meteorological department, take timely preventive measures, and prevent targeted measures.

How to prevent strong convective weather and stop losses in time?

Xu Xiaofeng: We can take various measures to prevent it, and buying insurance is also a way to reduce personal losses. You can buy car insurance in cities, and in rural areas, you can also reduce losses through government departments or by purchasing insurance yourself. On the other hand, insurance companies should also have a sense of self-prevention, pay attention to weather changes in time, and remind users to stop losses in time, which is beneficial to both parties. If you are in the countryside, you can also remind everyone to take some measures in a timely manner. The meteorological department can also take some methods that artificially affect the weather to eliminate hail and prevent greater losses.