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District of Columbia

elleng

(136,689 posts) Fri Apr 7, 2023, 11:48 AM Apr 2023

SLEET in the 50s?

We have something very weird happening in the DC area on this Friday. We are seeing sleet with temps from 50-55 degrees. How is this possible? There's an unusual dry layer a few thousand feet up. We *think* droplets passing thru it are freezing due to evaporational cooling.

3 replies

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SLEET in the 50s? (Original Post) elleng Apr 2023 OP

Are you certain it's not small hail? hippywife Apr 2023 #1

Capital Weather Gang posted it, I know nothing more! elleng Apr 2023 #2

From NWS. hippywife Apr 2023 #3

hippywife

(22,767 posts)

1. Are you certain it's not small hail?

Reply to elleng (Original post)

Fri Apr 7, 2023, 12:40 PM

Apr 2023

I don't think you can have sleet with temps that high. Is it coming down in connection with a thunderstorm?

elleng

(136,689 posts)

2. Capital Weather Gang posted it, I know nothing more!

Reply to hippywife (Reply #1)

Fri Apr 7, 2023, 12:43 PM

Apr 2023

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=759564632206794&set=a.443517543811506

hippywife

(22,767 posts)

3. From NWS.

Reply to elleng (Reply #2)

Fri Apr 7, 2023, 12:48 PM

Apr 2023

https://www.weather.gov/ama/preciptypes

Sleet occurs when a snow flake partially melts and then refreezes. For partial melting to occur, the maximum temperature in the melting layer is typically between 33.8 and 37.4°F (1 and 3°C) and for a relatively thin layer (less than 2,000 feet thick).

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