soft hail: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical / Meteorological, with some usage in everyday descriptive language.
Quick answer
What does “soft hail” mean?
Precipitation consisting of small, white, opaque, and generally soft or semi-frozen ice particles that form in cold clouds.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Precipitation consisting of small, white, opaque, and generally soft or semi-frozen ice particles that form in cold clouds; often associated with spring and autumn showers.
Any precipitation of small, low-density ice particles that are not as hard or damaging as true hailstones; can refer loosely to graupel or small hail in everyday language.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is similar, but 'soft hail' is slightly more common as a lay term in UK descriptions of wintry showers. In US meteorology, 'graupel' is the preferred technical term for the phenomenon.
Connotations
Connotes a less severe, less threatening form of icy precipitation. In the UK, it may be associated with fleeting spring snow/hail mixes.
Frequency
Low frequency in both varieties; encountered more in spoken descriptions than in formal writing.
Grammar
How to Use “soft hail” in a Sentence
[The] soft hail [verb: fell, started, began, ceased][Adjective] soft hail [verb: peppered the ground]We experienced [some/a burst of] soft hail.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “soft hail” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- It began to soft hail for a few minutes before turning back to rain.
- The roof was softly hailing, making a faint pattering sound.
American English
- It started to soft hail on our hike, but the pellets just bounced off our jackets.
- The storm soft hailed briefly, leaving a dusting of white pellets.
adjective
British English
- We had a soft-hail shower this morning.
- The forecast warned of soft-hail conditions on the higher moors.
American English
- A soft-hail event is expected in the mountains this afternoon.
- The soft-hail precipitation accumulated quickly on the cold grass.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used in agriculture, logistics, or travel disruption reports: 'The soft hail caused minor delays but no damage.'
Academic
Used in meteorology, climatology, and physical geography papers, often clarifying with 'graupel'.
Everyday
Used in descriptive conversation about the weather: 'Look, it's turned to soft hail.'
Technical
Meteorological discussions and forecasts, though 'graupel' is more precise. Used to describe a specific hydrometeor type.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “soft hail”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “soft hail”
- Using 'soft hail' in a formal scientific abstract where 'graupel' is required.
- Confusing it with 'sleet', which is a rain/snow mix, not a distinct ice pellet.
- Writing it as a single word: 'softhail'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally not. It consists of small, low-density ice pellets that are crunchy but soft, causing little to no damage to property or crops.
It is rare but possible, typically at high altitudes or during unusually cold upper-atmosphere conditions in a thunderstorm. It is most common in spring and autumn.
Soft hail (graupel) forms when supercooled water droplets freeze onto a snowflake, creating a soft, opaque pellet. Sleet forms when snowflakes melt into rain and then refreeze before hitting the ground, creating small, transparent ice pellets.
'Graupel' is the precise, internationally recognized meteorological term that removes ambiguity. 'Soft hail' is a descriptive lay term that can be confused with small hail or other wintry precipitation.
Precipitation consisting of small, white, opaque, and generally soft or semi-frozen ice particles that form in cold clouds.
Soft hail is usually technical / meteorological, with some usage in everyday descriptive language. in register.
Soft hail: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɒft ˈheɪl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɔːft ˈheɪl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's only soft hail – it won't hurt the car.”
- “A shower of soft hail and sunshine, typical April weather.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SOFT HAIL: Sounds like 'soft fail' – it falls but fails to do any real damage.
Conceptual Metaphor
PRECIPITATION IS A PROJECTILE (soft hail = light, less harmful ammunition).
Practice
Quiz
Which term is the most precise scientific synonym for 'soft hail'?