Flurry

Flurry most commonly refers to a brief, light snowfall or to a sudden burst of activity or excitement. The noun can describe either a short snowfall with minimal accumulation or a rapid sequence of actions or events. The word is used as both a meteorological term and a figurative expression; etymology is uncertain, but it is generally considered onomatopoeic, reflecting light, fluttering motion.

In meteorology, a flurry is a brief and often insignificant snowfall that may occur with or without visible precipitation, lasting minutes and producing little or no accumulation. Flurries are caused by small-scale atmospheric disturbances and typically do not reduce visibility to the degree associated with heavier snowstorms. They can occur at various temperatures near or below freezing and are common in winter climates.

In everyday language, a flurry denotes a short burst of activity or emotion. People say they did something in a flurry or that there was a flurry of activity around a given event. The expression captures the idea of rapid, temporary pacing or excitement that quickly subsides.

Flurry is also the name of a mobile analytics company that provides tools for app developers to measure engagement and monetization. Founded in the mid-2000s, Flurry was acquired by Yahoo in 2014. The term’s broader uses as a meteorological and figurative concept remain common in general usage.