pöllyävä

Pöllyävä is a Finnish verb that describes the action of shedding or scattering something light and fluffy. It is most commonly used in relation to snow, describing how it falls and disperses in the wind, creating a swirling or "fluffy" effect. The word can also be used to describe other light materials, such as dust, pollen, or feathers, being scattered by a breeze.

The etymology of pöllyvä is believed to be onomatopoeic, mimicking the sound of light particles being disturbed. The root word "pölly" itself refers to something puffy or fluffy. While primarily a descriptive term for weather phenomena, pöllyvä can also be used metaphorically to describe a situation where something is becoming scattered or disorganized.

In meteorological contexts, pöllyvä snow is often associated with strong winds and reduced visibility, creating challenging conditions for travel. It is a common term in Finnish weather forecasts, especially during winter months. The visual imagery evoked by pöllyvä is one of gentle yet widespread movement, where individual particles are not falling directly but are carried and dispersed by air currents. It is distinct from a heavy snowfall where flakes descend more directly.