Cleveland, OH – Northern Ohio residents might spot an unusual type of precipitation this evening—graupel, a soft, snowy form of hail—mixed in with passing showers and isolated thunderstorms, according to the National Weather Service in Cleveland.
The agency says showers with scattered lightning will move across the region between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m., bringing a chance for isolated damaging winds, small hail, and graupel. While severe weather isn’t expected, the brief downpours could surprise evening commuters with bursts of icy pellets that look like mini snowballs.
So what exactly is graupel? Unlike hail, which forms through repeated freezing cycles in strong thunderstorm updrafts, graupel develops when supercooled water droplets freeze onto snowflakes, creating soft, frosty pellets that bounce on impact but crumble easily when touched. It’s a sign of cold air aloft and unstable fall weather, often appearing during transitional seasons.
The NWS expects the line of showers to reach northwestern Pennsylvania by around 10 p.m. Residents are encouraged to monitor NOAA Weather Radio, weather.gov, or local media for potential Special Weather Statements this evening.
