Not Really Snow

Gropple on the Can

Not snow. Not hail. Not sleet. It was "gropple" coming down yesterday. So said my friend Dale encountered on the morning ridge loop. She should know; she's married to Tom, the director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Climatic Data Center. He's the top weather guy in the country.

I had to look it up. The Urban Dictionary:

1.	gropple	90 up, 30 down
	A weather term, referring to a light, hail-like snow. The forecast is calling for rain changing over to gropple, with sleet and hail mixed in. buy gropple mugs & shirts hail snow sleet rain ice by GuyPD Nov 13, 2006

2006 this term was entered into our lexicon? Who knew? 

I don't care what the definition is. Hey Tom, it was supposed to stay in the 50's all week. This sudden reminder that winter is not done with us is distressing, though probably better for the trees and shrubs. They need their rest.

Gropple on Miss Chelsea's fur