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

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

Mary Mays

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