A319 pilot reported encountering moderate to severe turbulence and bursts of hail hitting the windshield followed by an ECAM caution for windshield heat 1+2 inop; with cracking of the outer panes of the windshield. The flight crew continued the approach to make a landing at the destination airport.

Narrative

On a arrival to ZZZ on arrival ZZZZZ 4E; we were approaching area of thunderstorms starting around ZZZ1 waypoint and extending south. North of the waypoint ZZZ1 we started right deviation from the arrival to avoid the weather working with ZZZ approach control which was very busy working with all the other arriving aircrafts and it was very difficult to get the word in. Proceeding Southwest of ZZZ1 waypoint; we noticed a gap between the buildups in that area and started a shallow turn to the left to get back on ZZZZZ 4E arrival. At this point we have received instructions from ZZZ arrival control to proceed direct to ZZZZZ1 waypoint. Selecting direct to ZZZZZ1 intersection created projected course line that coincided with the gap between the buildups. Proceeding between the buildups we have encountered moderate to severe turbulence and fewer bursts of hail hitting the windshields; which was followed by ECAM caution 'WINDSHIELD HEAT 1+2 INOP'. We noticed the outer pane of the windshields were cracked. At this point we were close to ZZZZZ1 waypoint and out of the turbulence and precipitation; and continue the approach to a safe landing in ZZZ on runway XX left. We've worn the cabin crew about bad weather ahead and have prepared them for landing descending through around 30;000 ft well north of ZZZ1 waypoint and followed it with prepare for landing announcement. At the gate all the passengers deplaned with none reporting any injuries; cabin crew was fine also. Before securing the aircraft we also talk to maintenance and ZZZ fire rescue chief; where we got confirmation that all the passengers were fine.