BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — Residents of the Baltimore area are in for a meteorological surprise this spring, as forecasters predict the occurrence of graupel showers. The US National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington has indicated that these unique weather phenomena are expected to happen today between 2 PM and 7 PM, amid scattered showers and thunderstorms.
Graupel, often mistaken for small hail, consists of snowflakes encased in supercooled water droplets, resulting from the mix of cold air aloft with above-freezing temperatures at the surface. This rare weather event adds a unique twist to the spring season’s usual lineup of snow, sleet, and hail, showcasing the unpredictability of area weather patterns.