Different types of winter weather precipitation

Breakdown

• Three key temperature factors—surface, warm layer above ground, and cloud temperature—determine winter precipitation type. 16s
• Surface temperatures at or below freezing allow for snow, freezing rain, and sleet; above freezing, rain or wet snow may occur. 23s
• A warm air layer above the surface can melt falling snow into rain or a mix, and if it refreezes near the ground, it can become sleet or freezing rain. 38s
• Cloud temperature and depth affect precipitation type and intensity; colder, deeper clouds favor snow and heavier precipitation. 57s
• Graupel forms when supercooled water droplets freeze onto snowflakes, creating rounded pellets often mistaken for hail. 1m 40s