Small balls of snow are commonly called snow pellets, ice pellets, soft hail, hominy snow, or graupel.
These terms refer to precipitation that starts as snowflakes. As the snowflake travels through a cloud, supercooled water droplets attach to it and freeze. This process causes the snowflake to grow into a small, rounded ball of ice. The result is what we know as snow pellets, ice pellets, soft hail, hominy snow or the more official name graupel.
These terms are often used interchangeably, but there can be subtle differences in their meanings depending on the region and the specific characteristics of the frozen precipitation. For example, "graupel" is often used by meteorologists as a more precise term.
Here's a breakdown of the terms:
- Snow Pellets: A general term for small, soft balls of snow.
- Ice Pellets: Are hard, translucent spheres or irregular lumps of ice. They typically bounce when hitting the ground and make a distinctive sound.
- Soft Hail: A more descriptive term emphasizing the soft, crumbly nature.
- Hominy Snow: A regional term.
- Graupel: This is a more technical term and is defined as snow pellets coated with ice.
In conclusion, there are several terms for small balls of snow, with "snow pellets" and "graupel" being the most commonly used and recognized.
