Sleet and Snow Pellets
Sleet and Snow Pellets :
Sleet and snow pellets form when the atmosphere is near freezing (32 degrees Fahrenheit) at about 5000 feet. Sleet forms when snow melts near 5000 feet but refreezes before it hits the ground. This forms the common sleet or "ice pellet" that can hit your windows with such force that you often think that someone is throwing sand your way. Snow pellets or "graupel" are formed when falling snowflakes are partially melted as they travel downward toward the ground. Upon close examination, one can usually see the remnants of the parent snowflake that was melted to form the snow pellet. Sleet and snow pellets often occur during major Winter storms when the atmosphere is near freezing on the eastern edge of the storm. Usually this is a sign of a "large and dangerous" storm which will have strong winds and colder weather following
