räntään

Räntään is a term used in Finnish that describes a specific type of weather phenomenon. It refers to a mixture of rain and snow, where the precipitation falls as frozen raindrops or soft hailstones. This weather condition typically occurs when the temperature is near freezing point, around 0 degrees Celsius, allowing for both liquid and frozen water particles to exist simultaneously in the atmosphere.

The visual appearance of räntään can vary. It might look like wet snowflakes, slushy rain, or small, soft ice pellets. The consistency of the precipitation can be quite noticeable, often accumulating on surfaces and creating a slushy or slippery ground. This can make travel conditions more challenging, similar to icy rain but often with a less dense accumulation.

Räntään is a common occurrence in Finland and other Nordic countries during the transitional seasons of autumn and spring. It signals a shift in temperature and atmospheric conditions, indicating the approach of winter or the end of it. While not as severe as a full snowfall or a heavy rainstorm, räntään can be a notable weather event that affects daily life and outdoor activities. The term itself is a compound word, combining "räntä" (slush or sleet) and "sateen" (of rain), directly translating to a mixture of rain and sleet.