What explains the phenomenon of hailstones having distinct layers?

Hailstones develop distinct layers due to the process they undergo as they form in thunderstorm updrafts. As a hailstone is carried upward by strong winds, it moves through various temperatures within the storm. Each layer represents a stage in the hailstone’s growth, where it collects supercooled water droplets. When these droplets freeze, they form a layer on the hailstone. This process can happen multiple times as the hailstone is repeatedly lifted and dropped within the storm’s updrafts, accumulating additional layers each time it passes through a moist region where supercooled water is present. Therefore, the distinct layering is a direct result of the hailstone’s continuous growth phases during its journey in the storm, indicating the varied conditions it has encountered.