When snow melts and refreezes again while falling, it takes on an almost
kernel-like appearance. Such snow is referred to as graupel snow,
pictured here. These photos come to us from Chuck Heaver who shot them
in Union Pier, Michigan. The lake-effect set up behind Monday night's
rain and snow showers is occurring from roughly Porter County, Indiana
east. The warm 54-degree lake waters are responsible for imparting some
warmth to the atmosphere there which is melting the snowflakes falling
from cold clouds aloft. This refreezing of the partially melted
snowflakes is producing the graupel which Chuck's photos show
accumulating on the still warm ground in the Michigan lake snow belt.
Tom Skilling
Photos courtesy of Chuck Heaver, Union Pier, Michigan
