noun
- soft, granular snow or pellets of ice formed when supercooled water droplets freeze on falling snowflakes or rain drops.
Usage: meteorology; also called soft hail or snow pellets
Examples
- The forecast predicted graupel mixed with rain throughout the afternoon.
- Graupel accumulated on the windshield, creating a bumpy white coating.
- Unlike sleet, graupel is softer and less dense.
- The meteorologist explained that graupel forms when supercooled droplets coat falling snow.
- Winter storms in the mountains often produce graupel instead of pure snow.