(WXYZ) — Those in metro Detroit on Thursday have probably seen blasts of what appears to be hail falling from the sky, but it's actually called graupel.
According to the National Weather Service, graupel are very small pellets that are actually snowflakes that collect chilled water droplets on the outer service.
From sunny 70s 😎 to this.....in less than 24 hours. 😑#Michigan #snow #miwx pic.twitter.com/6TGhaKmg8U
— Mike Taylor (@MikeTaylorwx) April 9, 2020
On a day like today, where it's above freezing on the surface but below freezing in the air, graupel are common.
Hail, on the other hand, are balls of ice from thunderstorms when strong upward winds loft raindrops into the below freezing area of a thunderstorm, and sleet is liquid precipitation that freezes before reaching the ground.
Curious what "graupel" is? They are small pellets that are fairly soft as they are snowflakes that collect chilled water droplets on their outer surface. Today is a day ideal for these given it is very cold aloft but above freezing at the surface. pic.twitter.com/mBklpJopmY
— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) April 9, 2020