Question

What is the size range of sleet pellets?

• A. Less than 1 mm in diameter
• B. Between 1 mm and 5 mm in diameter
• C. Between 5 mm and 10 mm in diameter
• D. Greater than 10 mm in diameter

Hint:

• Sleet (ice pellets) forms when snowflakes melt and then refreeze into small ice particles before reaching the ground.
• Sleet pellets are generally 5 mm (0.2 inches) or less in diameter.
• Precipitation particles larger than 5 mm formed in convective storms are usually classified as hail.
• The range "Between 1 mm and 5 mm" is a good representation for sleet.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Sleet is a form of frozen precipitation consisting of ice pellets. It forms when snowflakes melt as they fall through a relatively warm layer of air and then refreeze as they pass through a subsequent deep layer of sub-freezing air near the ground. The characteristics of sleet pellets are:

• They are typically small, translucent or transparent ice pellets.
• They usually bounce when hitting the ground or other hard surfaces and make a distinctive sound.

Regarding size:

• Sleet pellets are generally defined as being 5 mm (0.2 inches) or less in diameter.
• Some sources may specify a lower limit, but often the distinction is made from hail, which is larger.
• Option (a) "Less than 1 mm in diameter" might describe very small ice pellets, but the typical range extends larger.
• Option (b) "Between 1 mm and 5 mm in diameter" is a reasonable and commonly cited range for sleet. Many definitions consider sleet to be ice pellets specifically 5mm or less.
• Option (c) "Between 5 mm and 10 mm in diameter" and (d) "Greater than 10 mm in diameter" would typically classify the precipitation as hail. Hailstones are formed by a different process (accretion of supercooled water droplets onto an ice nucleus within strong updrafts of thunderstorms) and can be much larger.

Therefore, the size range of 1 mm to 5 mm is appropriate for sleet. \[ \boxed{\text{Between 1 mm and 5 mm in diameter}} \]