Understanding winter precipitation: snow, sleet, and freezing rain

This segment explains the different types of winter precipitation – snow, sleet, and freezing rain – and how each forms based on atmospheric temperature profiles. Snow requires temperatures of 32°F or lower throughout the atmosphere. Sleet occurs when melted snowflakes refreeze before hitting the ground. Freezing rain happens when warm air sits on top of a shallow layer of cold air, causing rain to freeze upon contact with the ground.