flurries

Flurries are a meteorological term describing light snowfall that occurs in short bursts with little or no measurable accumulation. They are typically brief and may appear as a light dusting or gentle flakes that quickly stop.

Flurries form when shallow layers of moist air are lifted by weak atmospheric instability or by the edge of a weather system. The resulting precipitation is light because the air mass is not deep enough or sufficiently saturated to sustain persistent snowfall. Snow crystals can be blown by light to moderate winds, creating the appearance of flurries without producing significant buildup on the ground.

Flurries differ from snow showers, which produce more vigorous snowfall that can accumulate, and from sustained or steady snowfall, which lasts longer and deposits more substantial amounts. Flurries may occur with or without gusty winds and are often associated with the margins of winter storms, cold-air outbreaks, or localized convective activity.

In terms of impact, flurries generally have little effect on travel or visibility, though brief reductions in visibility can occur and pavement can become slick if temperatures are near freezing. They are not a reliable indicator of ongoing or future heavy snowfall.

Geographically, flurries are common in mid-latitude regions during the autumn and winter seasons. They are typical of temperate climates and can occur on days with scattered clouds and cold air aloft, occasionally signaling changes in weather patterns or the approach of a stronger snow event.