We typically see many different types of precipitation during the Winter season and this Winter is no different, so let's talk about the different types.
Here's a great explainer graphic from weather.gov showing the different precipitation types and how they form.
All precipitation starts as snow, even rain. The snow falls into a warm layer of air that is above 32 degrees all the way to the ground. Therefore, it melts and remains a liquid down to the surface.
Freezing rain starts as snow and melts as it passes through a layer of air above 32 degrees, but it freezes on contact as the air at the surface is below freezing.
Sleet melts as it passes through a more shallow layer of above-freezing air and refreezes as it makes its way to the ground.
Snow does not pass through a layer of above-freezing air therefore, it remains snow all the way to the ground.
If you can do so safely, let us know what type of precipitation you are seeing during our next Winter storm.
