graupel
noun
grau·pel ˈgrau̇-pəl 
: granular snow pellets
called also soft hail
Did you know?
The word graupel is Germanic in origin; it is the diminutive of Graupe, meaning "pearl barley." According to etymologists, there does seem to be a grain of truth in the assumption that the word grew from the Slavic word krupa, which has the same meaning. Graupel was first seen in an 1889 weather report and has been whirling around in the meteorology field ever since to describe "pellets of snow" or "soft hail" (the latter phrase is an actual synonym of graupel).
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web My face was fine, albeit graupel-scratched, but my wrist was throbbing hard enough to make holding a pole painful. 
Heather Hansman, Outside Online, 25 Mar. 2020 Given very cold air aloft, some of this may fall as graupel or even some snowflakes. Washington Post, 18 Apr. 2022 Some of our cooler areas could even see a few ice pellets or graupel mix in with the showers. Washington Post, 24 Mar. 2022 Some spots, especially at higher elevations, could see a few ice pellets or graupel mixing in with raindrops. Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2022 Given a low freezing level, there could be some soft hail or graupel mixed in as well. Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2022 Portland should just see cold rain, but stronger showers could bring hail or graupel. oregonlive, 7 Dec. 2021 This morning’s cold front passage offered a few quick showers, some of which were mixed with graupel. Washington Post, 26 Nov. 2021 As the cold air sticks around throughout the morning, there is also a slight possibility of graupel, or a few snowflakes falling as low as sea level. oregonlive, 15 Mar. 2021 See More
Heather Hansman, Outside Online, 25 Mar. 2020 Given very cold air aloft, some of this may fall as graupel or even some snowflakes. Washington Post, 18 Apr. 2022 Some of our cooler areas could even see a few ice pellets or graupel mix in with the showers. Washington Post, 24 Mar. 2022 Some spots, especially at higher elevations, could see a few ice pellets or graupel mixing in with raindrops. Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2022 Given a low freezing level, there could be some soft hail or graupel mixed in as well. Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2022 Portland should just see cold rain, but stronger showers could bring hail or graupel. oregonlive, 7 Dec. 2021 This morning’s cold front passage offered a few quick showers, some of which were mixed with graupel. Washington Post, 26 Nov. 2021 As the cold air sticks around throughout the morning, there is also a slight possibility of graupel, or a few snowflakes falling as low as sea level. oregonlive, 15 Mar. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
German
First Known Use
1889, in the meaning defined above
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