The Sleet reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004
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Sleet

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Whereas hail forms within clouds, sleet begins as snow falling to earth after having left it's originating cloud. The snow partially melts on its trip down in a layer of warm air but then refreezes into ice crystals that appear much like hail.

Sleet is also used colloquialy for rain mixed with some frozen droplets.