‘May Produce Thunderstorm, Small Hail/Graupel’
The island may experience rather unusual — for Bermuda — weather conditions this weekend, as the Bermuda Weather Service has stated that on Sunday morning, a “trailing trough may produce a thunderstorm as well as small hail/graupel.”
Collins dictionary defines graupel as “soft hail or snow pellets,” NOAA described it as “snow pellets or soft hail,” and Accuweather said that “graupel forms when snowflakes are coated with a layer of ice.”
“Unlike hail or sleet, graupel is soft and can fall apart easily in your hand,” Accuweather said. “Graupel is also usually smaller than hail, with a diameter of around 0.08-0.2 of an inch.”
A news report from Colorado News 9 on graupel:
The BWS forecast states, “Expect humid conditions to persist while south to southwesterly winds strengthen ahead of a robust cold front. At this stage, it’s forecast to sweep across the island around midnight, leaving cold, showery and windy weather with squalls in its wake.
“On Sunday morning, a trailing trough may produce a thunderstorm as well as small hail/graupel. Beyond this period, high pressure will begin to build in across Bermuda, providing more settled and pleasant conditions.”
better get the thermal underwear out!