Tihkusateen

Tihkusateen is the Finnish term for drizzle, a light form of precipitation consisting of very fine droplets that fall from low, stable cloud layers such as stratus or from fog. In Finnish meteorology, tihkusade refers to the drizzle itself, and the genitive form tihkusateen is used in phrases such as “tihkusateen vaikutukset” to discuss the effects of drizzle.

Drizzle droplets are typically smaller than those of ordinary rain, often described as having diameters below 0.5 millimeters. The precipitation rate is low, and tihkusade can be persistent for hours, frequently occurring together with fog or low cloud cover. It usually forms when moist air near the surface rises slightly and cools, allowing tiny droplets to form and fall slowly.

Impact on daily life is minor but noticeable: surfaces can become damp, roads may become slick if temperatures approach freezing, and visibility can be reduced in some conditions. Drizzle differs from light rain in its steadiness and softer perception; it is more likely to occur in maritime or coastal climates and can be common in Finland during late autumn or early spring.

In Finnish weather reporting, tihkusateen is commonly mentioned alongside more intense precipitation and fog, signaling a gentle, continuous rain event that contributes to damp conditions without producing substantial rainfall.