Understanding winter precipitation: How snow, sleet, freezing rain, and rain are formed

Name: Understanding winter precipitation: How snow, sleet, freezing rain, and rain are formed
Uploaded: 2026-01-23T12:30:26Z
Duration: 1 min 2 s

Fox Weather First · FWX · Jan 23, 2026 · 1m 2s

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This segment explains the science behind different types of winter precipitation. Snow requires an atmospheric temperature of 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower throughout. Sleet forms when melted snowflakes refreeze before hitting the ground. Freezing rain occurs when rain falls through a shallow cold layer and freezes upon contact with the ground. Rain happens when the entire atmospheric column is above freezing.