Sleet and Freezing: What's the Difference?

By: Monica McNeal | WSAV-TV
Published: January 27, 2012

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Sleet is frozen precipitation that falls as ice pellets which you may see bouncing off your windshield, roof or the ground. Depending on the intensity and duration, sleet can accumulate much like you see with snow.

Freezing rain on the other hand, falls just like normal rain only it freezes on contact with roads, trees, power lines and other structures since temperatures are 32 degrees or below at the surface. Even light accumulations may cause dangerous travel, while heavier amounts can be very damaging.