What do ice pellets typically indicate?

Ice pellets, also known as sleet, typically indicate a temperature inversion aloft. This phenomenon occurs when a layer of warm air traps cold air near the surface, causing precipitation to fall as ice pellets rather than rain or snow. When warm air rises over cold air, the falling precipitation can freeze into pellets as it passes through the colder air layers before reaching the ground. Understanding this concept is essential for pilots, as it helps them anticipate weather conditions that could affect flight safety.

In this context, recognizing that ice pellets suggest a specific meteorological scenario can aid in making informed decisions during flight operations, especially in regard to potential icing conditions and appropriate altitude adjustments.