soft hail

American  

noun

1. snow pellets.

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soft hail Scientific  

/ sôft /

1. See graupel

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Etymology

Origin of soft hail

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Graupel, also known as snow pellets or soft hail, forms when water droplets freeze onto a snow crystal, according to the National Weather Service.

From Seattle Times

As to whether it was snow or graupel — soft hail — meterologist Lisa Phillips, with the National Weather Service in Oxnard, said she couldn’t confirm without seeing it in person.

From Los Angeles Times

Graupel is also called snow pellets or soft hail, as the graupel particles are particularly fragile and generally disintegrate when handled.

From Los Angeles Times

There was even a dusting of snow or graupnel — a sort of soft hail — Thursday morning in the hills near the Hollywood sign, although it quickly vanished.

From Seattle Times

In between, there’s graupel—a kind of soft hail.

From Scientific American