Home › Weather › What Is Sleet Weather
Live forecasts update automatically; written guidance last reviewed 16 June 2026 by the True North Brief Weather Desk. Data from Environment and Climate Change Canada and other national met services via Open-Meteo.
Sleet is a winter precipitation consisting of small, transparent ice pellets that bounce when hitting surfaces; it forms when raindrops freeze into ice before reaching the ground, typically when temperatures are near 0 °C in the column above but below freezing at the surface. The live forecast above shows current conditions to help you gauge whether sleet is likely in your area today.
How does sleet form and differ from freezing rain or hail?
Sleet begins as snow aloft, melts into rain in a warm layer, then refreezes into ice pellets before hitting the ground. Freezing rain, by contrast, remains liquid until it strikes a cold surface, coating everything in a layer of ice. Hail forms in thunderstorms when updrafts carry raindrops into freezing altitudes repeatedly, building layered stones—sleet pellets are smaller, softer, and never cycle through a thunderstorm.
Is sleet dangerous, and should you drive in it?
Sleet is slippery and rapidly reduces traction, especially on untreated roads. While individual pellets are light, accumulation can hide black ice underneath. Driving in sleet carries risks similar to driving in wet snow or light ice—reduce speed, avoid sudden braking, and check conditions at your local Canada weather hub before heading out. Sleet is generally less dangerous than thick freezing rain but still demands caution for pedestrians and motorists alike.
Is sleet the same as hail?
No. Hail forms in convective storms with strong updrafts that repeatedly lift raindrops into freezing air, building layered ice stones. Sleet forms in a simpler, non‑convective process: snow melts then refreezes into small, clear pellets before reaching the ground.
Can sleet cause power outages?
Less often than freezing rain does. Sleet does not stick to power lines or trees, so it rarely builds the heavy ice loads that snap wires. However, if sleet mixes with freezing rain or ice pellets accumulate on already‑iced surfaces, outages can still occur.
Should I avoid driving in sleet?
Yes, if possible. Sleet reduces traction and can hide black ice; visibility may drop quickly. If you must drive, reduce speed, increase following distance, and check the latest weather warning for your region. Treat sleet like a moderate winter storm hazard.