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How atmospheric temperatures determine winter precipitation types

Snow, sleet or ice
How atmospheric temps shape winter precipitation

A couple walk along the shore of Lake Michigan in Chicago during a snowstorm.

Winter weather isn't just about freezing temperatures at the surface; it's all about what's happening in the atmosphere above.

The type of precipitation we experience — whether it's snow, sleet, freezing rain, or rain — depends on the temperature layers the precipitation passes through as it falls. Each layer of air can have a different temperature, influencing whether precipitation stays frozen or melts before reaching the ground.

Here's how each type of winter precipitation is formed:

  • Snow forms when the entire column of air from the clouds to the surface is below freezing (32°F/0°C). The snowflakes remain frozen all the way down, giving us that powdery white blanket.
  • Sleet happens when snowflakes fall through a shallow warm layer (above freezing), partially melting, and then refreeze before hitting the ground. This creates tiny ice pellets that bounce off surfaces.
  • Freezing Rain starts as snow, but it travels through a deeper, warm layer and melts completely into rain. However, as it reaches the ground, it passes through a shallow freezing layer and freezes in contact with cold surfaces, creating a dangerous glaze of ice.
  • Rain occurs when temperatures remain above freezing from the clouds to the ground, preventing any freezing.

These different precipitation types are a result of the complex interplay between layers of warm and cold air in the atmosphere. So, next time you see snow or ice, remember — it's not just the temperature where you are, but what’s happening above your head that makes all the difference!

Try it out now!Wintry precipitation on the WeatherRadar
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