Winter brings unique challenges to weather forecasting, with snow, sleet, and ice storms creating hazardous conditions that require accurate and timely information. Radar technology is one of the most essential tools for tracking these dangerous weather events.
In this guide, we’ll explore how winter weather radar works and how you can use it to identify snow, sleet, and ice storms.
How to Read Winter Weather Radar
Source: National Weather Service
Understanding how to interpret the colors and patterns on a winter weather radar is crucial for identifying specific winter hazards. Radar images are typically displayed with a color scale that represents different types of precipitation intensity. Let’s break down the key elements of the radar display for snow, sleet, and ice storms.
Snow and Snowstorms
Snow appears on radar as lighter, often white or light blue colors. It forms when temperatures in the upper atmosphere are below freezing, allowing water vapor to turn directly into snowflakes. The size of the snowflakes varies, with smaller flakes showing up as light precipitation and heavier snowflakes showing up as more intense bands.
You can detect snowstorms on weather radar by their characteristic white or light blue swaths, often appearing in bands that stretch across regions. For example, here’s the image of the Winter Storm Enzo that hit the Gulf Coast in January 2025:
Source: Houston Chronicle
Snowstorms tend to move in large systems, with snow covering broad areas. If the radar shows widespread light to moderate snowfall over a long duration, it’s likely a snowstorm.
Sleet or Ice Pellets
Sleet, also called ice pellets, forms when raindrops freeze before they hit the ground. On radar, sleet can appear in shades of pink or purple, often mixed with rain or snow. As sleet is harder than snow but not as solid as ice, it may appear as more uniform or concentrated precipitation.
Sleet or ice pellets show up as purple or pink patches, often in areas with temperatures close to the freezing mark. These zones are generally smaller and more localized than snowstorms but can rapidly grow into larger systems.
If radar shows areas in purple shades mixing with snow or rain, it’s likely sleet. Pay attention to whether the precipitation changes its type as the storm progresses.
Ice Storms
Ice storms occur when raindrops freeze on contact with cold surfaces, leading to a coating of ice on trees, roads, and power lines. Ice storms often appear on radar as a mix of colors ranging from purple and pink to yellow or red.
It may be difficult to predict ice storms just by looking at the radar. However, areas in shades of red and pink often indicate freezing rain. These storms create icy roads, downed trees, and power outages. This is often accompanied by sharp temperature changes and should prompt immediate precautions.
Why Radar Is Essential for Winter Storm Forecasting
Radar isn’t just for tracking the precipitation as it falls; it’s also essential for predicting the path and intensity of winter storms. Meteorologists can use weather radar data to provide timely forecasts, issue warnings, and track the movement of snow, sleet, and ice storms. This can help you prepare by knowing when to expect severe weather and how to stay safe.
Here are some ways radar data can make a difference:
- Tracking storm intensity. Radar allows meteorologists to identify areas of heavy snow or freezing rain, so you can be warned about the severity of a storm before it hits.
- Predicting the path. Understanding the movement of winter storms via weather radar helps forecast where the heaviest snow, sleet, or ice will be.
- Early warnings. Radar data provides early indicators of changing weather patterns, allowing authorities to issue warnings before hazardous conditions develop.
Conclusion
Winter weather radar is an invaluable tool for spotting snow, sleet, and ice storms in real time. By reading radar images and understanding the different color codes and patterns, you can stay informed and make better decisions during winter weather events.
