Räntäsateita

Räntäsateita, often translated as sleet, is a form of precipitation consisting of ice pellets, often called grauple or snow pellets. These pellets are transparent or translucent, frozen raindrops. Räntäsateitä forms when snowflakes fall through a layer of air that is above freezing and then refreeze as they fall through a subsequent layer of sub-freezing air before reaching the ground. This process typically occurs during transitional weather periods, such as late autumn or early spring, when atmospheric temperatures are fluctuating around the freezing point.

The appearance of räntäsateitä can vary. It can range from small, soft pellets that bounce when they hit the ground to harder, icier pellets. If the temperature is below freezing at ground level, the pellets can accumulate, creating a slippery surface. This accumulation is often referred to as "ice pellets" or "sleet" in English. Unlike snow, which consists of ice crystals, räntäsateitä are frozen droplets of water. The formation process requires specific atmospheric conditions, including the presence of both above-freezing and below-freezing layers of air within the atmosphere. The intensity of räntäsateitä can also vary, from light showers to heavier periods that can cause significant disruption to transportation and daily life due to reduced visibility and hazardous road conditions.