With the Houston area in the frigid grip of a rare winter storm, it may seem like only snow and sleet are falling across the region. But forecasters say there's more to winter precipitation than meets the eye.

Houston is preparing for a historic winter storm expected to bring up to 6 inches of snow, a rare event not seen in decades.

A storm bringing snow, sleet and bitter cold to southeast Texas could drop as much as 8 inches of snow on metropolitan Houston.