Unusual Winter Precipitation in Bolzano, Italy
In the early hours of January 9, 2026, Bolzano, Italy, and surrounding areas in South Tyrol experienced a notable, yet unusual, winter precipitation event. While appearing as snow, the white covering was a combination of snowflakes and “Graupel” – also known as round snow or gragnola.
The accumulation varied across the region. Bolzano city itself received only a light dusting, but areas like Val di roia at Passo Resia saw up to 15 centimeters of accumulation.
Meteorologist Dieter Peterlin explained that Graupel forms when supercooled water droplets freeze onto snow crystals as they fall through a warmer,humid atmospheric layer,creating small,opaque ice pellets. This phenomenon is typical during the passage of a cold front, which brought widespread showers across the region.
Primary Topic: winter Weather Event in Bolzano, Italy
Primary Keyword: graupel
Secondary Keywords: Round Snow, Winter Precipitation, South Tyrol, Bolzano, cold Front, Weather Event, Italy Weather, Dieter Peterlin.
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