Graupel

/ˈɡraʊpəl/ noun

Definition

Soft, small, round pellets of snow that form when supercooled water droplets freeze on snowflakes; also called snow pellets or soft hail.

Etymology

From German 'Graupel' (soft hail/groats), from 'Graupe' (hulled grain). Neither snow nor hail — it's the Goldilocks of frozen precipitation.

Kelly Says

Not snow, not hail, not sleet — GRAUPEL! Those weird little styrofoam-looking snow balls that bounce when they hit the ground! They form when fog droplets FREEZE onto snowflakes mid-air! Weather is wonderfully weird! ⛄🏀

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