Houston – On Saturday morning in Houston, viewers and the National Weather Service reported sleet pellets mixing with cold rain on the south side of town. Despite temperatures at the surface being above freezing, this phenomenon occurred.
Meteorologist Lena Maria Arango explains that although radar showed rain and temperatures in the upper 40s, frozen precipitation managed to reach the surface. This was possible due to the right conditions aligning, where precipitation falling higher up brought colder temperatures and dew points close enough to the surface to allow for sleet to mix in.
In higher elevations where ice crystals form, known as the dendritic growth zone, saturation was complete as modeled soundings show. Overcoming warming air at the surface without melting is an impressive feat!
If you’re heading to the Houston Rodeo, break out your jackets for the last weekend as freezing precipitation is possible even without freezing temperatures.
