MANILA, Philippines ? Tiny ice particles yesterday rained on a village in Quezon City in what the weather bureau described as a hailstorm.

Residents of Barangay Holy Spirit said dark clouds and strong winds accompanied the hailstorm, sending many of them rushing out of their homes.

?This is associated with intense thunderstorm. It?s not highly unusual although it?s not a normal happening,? Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration weather branch chief Nathaniel Cruz said in a phone interview.

?It?s not dangerous,? he added.

Hail is a form of precipitation that consists of balls or irregular lumps of ice that come from severe thunderstorms.

?These are the ice particles that do not dissolve as they go down the atmosphere,? Cruz said, adding that these were more dangerous in middle latitude countries like the United States, Canada and Japan because they could take the size of golf balls.

Gary Dupo, a fruit vendor, said the hailstorm happened at around 3 p.m., adding that it lasted for about five minutes.

The pieces of ice were about half-an-inch long and melted quickly upon hitting the ground.

Ferdie, another resident who said he was inside his house when the hailstorm came, told the Inquirer that he heard tapping sounds on the roof.

When he stepped outside, he saw bits of ice as big as mongo seeds hitting the ground.

The air also felt cool, he added.

Cruz said that during hailstorms, people should stay inside their homes or seek shelter to avoid the hazards associated with thunderstorms such as strong winds, lightning and tornado.

?It?s not advisable to go out during hailstorms,? he added.