What can be expected when hooks and fingers appear on an airborne weather radar display?

When hooks and fingers appear on an airborne weather radar display, it typically indicates the presence of severe weather conditions, particularly associated with thunderstorms. These features often represent strong updrafts and downdrafts within storm cells, which can correlate to turbulence. Hail is commonly found within the areas where these radar signatures appear, as the updrafts can lift moisture particles to higher altitudes where they freeze and grow larger.

The identification of these features is crucial for pilots as they signal areas that may pose significant risks, such as severe turbulence and potential hail, necessitating either avoidance or an altered flight path to ensure safety. Observing such patterns on the radar indicates conditions that undermine the stability of flight, hence making them critical for pilots to understand and react to appropriately.