For this segment of Weather 101 we are going to travel back in time a season to talk about winter precipitation types. The type of winter precipitation that reaches the ground depends on how deep the layer of warm or cold air is aloft or even at the surface. For rain to occur the entire column and surface needs to be above freezing. If the surface is below freezing, and there is a shallow layer of cold air close to the surface freezing rain will occur. If the column is mostly below freezing but a layer of warm air exists aloft then we can see sleet pellets fall at the surface. Of course if the entire column of air is below freezing then the precipitation type will be snow which many of us struggled to see this past winter. I certainly hope that now you understand why there can be so many different types of precipitation through the winter months. As always you can send us your questions and any topics you want us to cover to our email weather@knwa.com. Stay safe and healthy!