NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Winter weather often brings a mix of precipitation that can turn a simple forecast into a complex puzzle. From snow-covered landscapes to slick icy roads, understanding the different types of winter precipitation is essential for staying safe and prepared. Here’s a breakdown of the most common forms of winter precipitation and what causes each type to form. 1. Snow: The Icon of Winter Snow forms when temperatures throughout the atmosphere are below freezing (32°F or 0°C). Water vapor in the air condenses into ice crystals, which combine to form snowflakes. Snow typically falls as light, fluffy flakes when the air is dry, but wet, heavy snow occurs when moisture levels are higher. 2. Sleet: Tiny Ice Pellets Sleet, often mistaken for small hail, forms when snowflakes partially melt as they fall through a layer of above-freezing air and then refreeze into ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet bounces on impact and can accumulate into a slick, icy layer that makes roads hazardous. 3. Freezing Rain: A Hidden Danger Freezing rain begins as snow high in the atmosphere. As it falls, it passes through a thick layer of above-freezing air and completely melts into liquid rain. Upon contact with surfaces like roads, trees, or power lines that are below freezing, the liquid rain refreezes, forming a glaze of ice. Freezing rain is especially dangerous because it’s difficult to see and can quickly lead to power outages and travel disruptions. 4. Graupel: Soft Hail-Like Pellets Graupel occurs when snowflakes are coated with supercooled water droplets, creating soft, pellet-like snow. Unlike sleet, graupel does not bounce when it hits the ground and has a more fragile structure. It often forms during intense convective storms in cold weather. How Weather Patterns Determine Precipitation The type of precipitation that falls depends on the temperature profile of the atmosphere. A vertical slice of the atmosphere reveals layers of warm and cold air that dictate whether precipitation will fall as snow, sleet, freezing rain, or rain. For example, a shallow warm layer above the surface can lead to freezing rain, while a deeper warm layer causes sleet. When the entire column of air is below freezing, snow is the likely result. Staying Safe During Winter Storms Understanding winter precipitation types helps you plan for potential hazards. Snow can make driving conditions challenging, but freezing rain and sleet can turn roads into sheets of ice, increasing the risk of accidents. Always monitor weather updates and follow safety precautions when winter weather is in the forecast. Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter. Latest Posts Eagles will host the Commanders in NFC championship game. Chiefs wait on Ravens-Bills winner 5 takeaways from Trump's inauguration eve rally Barkley runs for 78 and 62-yard TDs in the snow and Eagles top Rams 28-22 to head to NFC title game New Orleans doctor warns risk of frostbite, hypothermia ahead of drop in temperature Trump plans barrage of Day 1 executive actions on border, energy, federal workforce