small hail; ice pellets
Refers to small, pellet-like hail, distinct from larger hailstones (雹) and soft hail (雪あられ). Used in weather contexts.
See also: 雪あられ
昨夜、氷霰が降って、車のボンネットに白く積もった。
Last night, ice pellets fell and accumulated white on the car hood.
気象庁は、氷霰が観測されたと発表した。
The meteorological agency announced that ice pellets were observed.
雪あられ is soft hail or graupel, which is white and opaque, unlike the harder, clearer ice pellets of 氷霰.
Standard kanji spelling for 'ice pellets' or 'small hail'.
Mixed kanji-kana spelling; easier to read but less common in formal contexts.
Compound of 氷 (こおり, 'ice') and 霰 (あられ, 'hail'). The reading こおりあられ is a straightforward combination of the two elements.