Sääpalloja

Sääpalloja is a Finnish term that translates to "weather balls" or "weather spheres." This term is often used colloquially in Finland to refer to cloud formations that are spherical or globular in appearance. These can include various types of clouds, such as cumulus clouds on a clear day, or more organized formations like cumulonimbus clouds, especially when viewed from a distance. The rounded, puffy nature of these clouds leads to the descriptive "sääpalloja" moniker.

The term is not a formal meteorological classification but rather a common, everyday description used by the public to observe and discuss cloud shapes. Children, in particular, often use this term when looking at clouds and imagining different shapes. The presence of these "weather balls" can indicate fair weather, as is typical with cumulus clouds, or they can be precursors to more significant weather events if they grow and develop into storm clouds. The observation of sääpalloja is a simple yet universal way people connect with and interpret their atmospheric surroundings.