Day 11.362: Grappling with graupel

It was quite mild yesterday (unlike today) and when we heard some precipitation, we suspected it was raining. Looking out, I said, "It could be sleet?!" meaning ice pellets (US sense of sleet) not wet snow (UK meaning of sleet).

"Really?" said Exile #2.

"I think so...oh yes it's bouncing," I replied as I walked to the window to get a better look, "Actually it looks like graupel." And it certainly did - here is some that fell in a gap in the snow on the deck - soft white balls of snow:

Note this precipitation is not to be confused with sleet or hail both of which are hard balls of ice (albeit formed in very different conditions!).