Final answer:
The process by which hail and raindrops are sustained in the atmosphere by strong updrafts is known as uplift. This occurs in powerful storm systems and is a significant component in the water cycle and weather phenomena such as thunderstorms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process by which hail and raindrops are held aloft by strong updrafts in the atmosphere is known as uplift. When water evaporates from the surface of the Earth, mainly oceans, it rises into the atmosphere where it cools and condenses to form water droplets that can grow into precipitation such as rain, snow, hail, or sleet. Strong rising air currents, known as updrafts, can keep these water droplets suspended in the atmosphere.
This occurs in powerful convection systems, such as those seen in thunderstorms, where the condensed moisture within clouds contributes to the formation of hail and raindrops. If the updraft is strong enough, it can prevent these heavier droplets or hailstones from falling immediately, effectively holding them aloft where they can grow larger before eventually falling to the ground as precipitation.