Sleet facts for kids

Sleet is a type of weather that involves ice falling from the sky. What people call "sleet" can be different depending on where you are in the world!

In the United States, sleet usually means tiny balls of ice. These are often called ice pellets. They form when raindrops freeze solid as they fall through a layer of very cold air close to the ground. Sometimes, they can also be snowflakes that melted a little and then refroze.

In countries like the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, and many other Commonwealth countries, "sleet" means something a bit different. There, it describes a mix of rain and snow falling at the same time. The snow might be partially melting as it falls.

Sometimes, "sleet" can also refer to a smooth, clear coating of ice that forms on objects. This happens when rain falls and freezes instantly when it hits surfaces that are at or below freezing temperatures. This type of ice is more commonly known as glaze ice or freezing rain.

How Sleet Forms

Sleet forms in specific weather conditions. It needs a layer of warm air above a layer of freezing air.

Ice Pellets (US Sleet)

Ice pellets, or US-style sleet, start as snow high in the atmosphere.

• The snow falls into a layer of air that is warmer than freezing (above 0°C or 32°F).
• In this warm layer, the snow melts and turns into raindrops.
• Then, these raindrops fall into a very cold layer of air near the ground. This layer must be below freezing (0°C or 32°F).
• As the raindrops pass through this cold air, they freeze solid again before they hit the ground. This creates the small, hard ice pellets you see.

Rain and Snow Mixed (UK Sleet)

When people in the UK, Canada, and other places talk about sleet, they mean a mix of rain and snow.

• This happens when the air temperature is right around freezing.
• Snowflakes fall from the clouds but don't completely melt.
• They might partially melt as they fall, or mix with raindrops.
• The result is a slushy mix of snow and rain reaching the ground.

Glaze Ice (Freezing Rain)

While not always called sleet, glaze ice is another form of ice from the sky.

• It starts as rain falling through cold air.
• The rain does not freeze in the air.
• Instead, it freezes only when it hits surfaces that are at or below freezing.
• This creates a clear, smooth layer of ice on roads, trees, and power lines. It can be very dangerous.

Why Sleet is Important

Sleet, especially ice pellets and freezing rain, can affect daily life.

• Driving Conditions: Roads can become very slippery, making driving dangerous.
• Walking: Sidewalks and paths can be icy, increasing the risk of falls.
• Power Outages: Freezing rain can coat power lines and tree branches with heavy ice. This weight can cause lines to break or branches to fall, leading to power outages.

Understanding the different types of sleet helps people prepare for winter weather. Weather forecasters use specific terms to describe these conditions accurately.