noun
soft hail; snow pellets
Meteorological term for precipitation consisting of white, opaque ice particles that are softer and smaller than true hail. Often used in weather forecasts.
See also: 氷霰
今日は雪あられが降るかもしれない。
There may be soft hail today.
雪あられは、地面に積もるとすぐに溶けることが多い。
Snow pellets often melt quickly once they accumulate on the ground.
Compound of 雪 (yuki, 'snow') and あられ (arare, 'hail' or 'small ice particles'). The term describes precipitation that is snow-like but pellet-shaped.