Graupel - Definition and Overview

Graupel can be any of the following types of solid-ice precipitation:

• hail - large chunks of ice such as from a strong or severe thunderstorm
• sleet - small pellets of raindrops that have frozen in mid-air, in winter or a thunderstorm
• snow pellets - when freezing fog forms 2-5mm balls of rime ice around a centre of sleet or a snowflake

Graupel does not include other frozen precipitation such as snow or ice crystals.