CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In the Carolinas, you often see freezing rain or sleet even when the temperature is cold enough for snow. To understand the concept, start by thinking upward about the temperature in the lowest 10,000 feet between the cloud and the ground.
The vertical temperature profile is the temperature of the atmosphere at various heights above the surface. Think of it like the layers of a cake.
To determine the type of precipitation, the magic number is 32º Fahrenheit or 0º Celsius.
Most rain starts as snow in the upper layers of the atmosphere. If it encounters warm temperatures during its descent, it will melt into rain.
So, what causes sleet and freezing rain?
The “Warm Nose” effect.
A nose-like feature forms as the temperature profile goes from below freezing to above the freezing mark and then back below freezing.
For instance, a small section in the atmosphere where melting can occur and produce rainfall. The layer beneath it zip-zags back below freezing for an extended period of time. This vertical temperature profile would indicate sleet.
On the contrary, a big warm nose would produce rain. However, the rain could encounter a shallow layer of air below freezing at the surface. That would produce freezing rain
The result is potentially freezing rain since rain could turn to ice on contact.
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