Sleet is a form of precipitation that consists of small ice pellets. It occurs when rain falls through a layer of cold air, causing the liquid droplets to freeze before they reach the ground.
The formation of sleet begins when warm, moist air rises in the atmosphere. This air can produce rain when it cools down. However, if there is a layer of cold air beneath this warm air, the falling rain droplets can freeze during their descent. When these frozen droplets reach the ground, they hit the surface as small ice pellets—this is what we refer to as sleet.
Understanding sleet is crucial as it can affect travel conditions and create hazardous situations on roads. Unlike snow, which is soft and accumulates, sleet can create a hard, icy surface that can be slippery. It is important for people to be aware of weather conditions that can lead to sleet in order to stay safe.