Kristen's Classroom: Wintry mix and donuts

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Some winter storms seem to throw the kitchen sink at us when it comes to precipitation type - rain, snow, freezing, sleet, etc. Rain and snow are easily understood but what about the others?

Freezing rain

Precipitation type largely depends of the vertical temperature profile of the atmosphere. Freezing rain hinges on the presence of below freezing temperatures near the surface. If a raindrop falls from the cloud and encounters this layer of freezing air...