härmeä

Härmeä is a Finnish word that refers to a type of frost. It describes the delicate, feathery ice crystals that form on surfaces when the air is very cold and humid. Unlike hoarfrost, which can form in a variety of conditions, härmä specifically refers to the process where water vapor in the air directly deposits as ice onto a surface, often a plant or object, without first becoming liquid. This phenomenon typically occurs on clear, calm nights when temperatures are below freezing. The resulting ice crystals can create a beautiful, ephemeral coating that glistens in the sunlight. The appearance of härmä is often associated with the transition between autumn and winter or during cold spells in winter. It is a visual indicator of the atmospheric conditions present at the time of its formation.