What distinguishes graupel from regular snow?

Graupel is distinguished from regular snow primarily by its shape and its physical characteristics due to riming. Unlike traditional snowflakes, which are formed from ice crystal structures typically exhibiting a hexagonal shape, graupel forms from supercooled water droplets that collide and freeze onto the surface of a snow crystal. This process leads to the development of soft, rounded pellets that have a lumpier appearance.

Graupel often appears larger and is heavier than regular snowflakes. Its formation involves significant riming, where the water droplets freeze onto existing ice crystals. This heavy coating gives graupel its characteristic shape—a rounded and sometimes irregular lump, as opposed to the intricate design of typical snowflakes.

This key difference in both the process of formation and the resulting shape is what sets graupel apart from standard snow, making it easily recognizable in weather phenomena.