When winter weather rolls in, many people throw around terms like sleet, freezing rain, and graupel interchangeably. But did you know these frozen precipitation types are all formed differently? Understanding them can help you better prepare for winter hazards in Tulsa and beyond.

Rain

Rain is liquid precipitation that falls when temperatures remain above freezing from the cloud all the way to the ground. It might be chilly outside, but as long as the air stays above 32°F, the moisture will stay liquid.

Freezing Rain

This is one of the most dangerous types of winter precipitation. Freezing rain begins as snow high in the atmosphere, melts into rain as it falls through a warm layer of air, then becomes cooled again as it passes through a shallow layer of below-freezing air near the ground. When this rain hits cold surfaces, it instantly freezes into a glaze of ice, making roads and power lines treacherous.

Sleet

Sleet also starts as snow but has a slightly thicker cold layer near the ground. This allows the melted raindrop to refreeze into a tiny ice pellet before hitting the ground. Sleet can accumulate like snow but creates a crunchy, slippery surface.

Snow

Snow forms when the entire column of air from the cloud to the ground is below freezing. Water vapor crystallizes directly into ice without becoming liquid first, forming snowflakes that fall gently to the ground. It’s the most iconic form of winter weather and the safest to walk on—at least compared to ice!

Graupel

Graupel is often mistaken for hail or sleet, but it’s a unique type of wintry precipitation. It begins as a snowflake that gets coated in supercooled water droplets, forming soft, white pellets. It looks like tiny Styrofoam balls and typically falls during convective snow showers.

Why It Matters

Each type of frozen precipitation affects travel and safety differently. For example, freezing rain is much more dangerous than snow, even though both may come from the same system. The forecast may say “wintry mix,” but a few degrees can make all the difference.

Knowing the difference helps you stay weather-aware and respond appropriately when winter warnings are issued.

Stay safe, stay warm, and stay weather-aware!

TTFN!
-M