system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5 What creates freezing rain conditions vs. snow?

Hello from Central TX! A few weeks ago, we got tons of pillowy, perfect snow for the 1st time in my life. 

This weekend, we are getting dangerous freezing rain. What conditions create freezing rain instead of wonderful snow?
gpt
Freezing rain is caused when snow falls through a large pocket of warm air on the way down. This melts the ice crystals a bit, but when they return to colder air they'll freeze up again. Sleet is caused the same way, just with a smaller pocket of warm air.