Winter Precipitation

Snow, sleet and freezing rain are all different types of winter precipitation, and all have their own hazards. Let’s look at how each type of precipitation forms and what can be expected.

• Snow is the most common and often the most desired type of wintry precipitation. A cold atmospheric profile is needed for snow to form with below-freezing air from the ground all the way up to the cloud. Leaving a layer of white on the grass and trees, snow can be beautiful, but it can also be dangerous. Snow-covered roads can cause vehicles to lose traction and slide or get stuck.
• Sleet has a beat. Not to be confused by hail that forms in severe storms, sleet consists of small ice pellets that bounce off surfaces. Often times, sleet can mix in with snow and forms when there is a small warm layer in the atmosphere that melts the snow. The melted snow refreezes before hitting the ground, forming sleet. Sleet can be quite slippery on roads due to its icy nature.
• Freezing rain is the most dreaded and dangerous winter precipitation type. For freezing rain, there must be a large layer of above-freezing air high up in the atmosphere, but the air at the surface is 32 degrees or below. Falling as rain, the water then freezes on all surfaces near the ground, including roads, trees and power lines. Not only does freezing rain leave a sheet of ice on the roads, it can also cause power outages as trees and power lines are weighed down and can eventually fall to the ground.
• Rain still can occur during winter as well and happens when the temperature from the ground to the cloud is above freezing. Be careful driving even when the weather features plain old rain as hydroplaning is possible.

Next time a weather forecast is issued, you can check why a certain type of precipitation is expected and the potential threats. Stay tuned to WeatherBug this season for the latest news on upcoming winter hazards.

Story Image via pixabay.com