In the winter, it’s quite common in the mountainous regions for meteorologists to talk about snow “above 5,000 feet” or “above 8,000 feet.” This is the snow level.

Snow level describes the elevation where precipitation changes from rain to snow. Think of it as the line in the atmosphere that determines whether an area gets a cold rain or a fresh coating of snow, while higher elevations pile up flakes. It’s especially important in mountainous regions, where small shifts in snow level can mean big differences in travel conditions and snowfall totals.

Why does snow level matter so much? It affects road safety, avalanche risk, water supply and flooding potential. A high snow level during a strong storm can send rain into mountain snowpack, increasing runoff and flood concerns, while a lower snow level can lock that moisture into snow, boosting long-term water storage. That’s why when meteorologists talk about snow level rising or falling, they’re really talking about how a storm will impact communities from valley floors to mountain peaks.

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Jennifer Gray is a weather and climate writer for weather.com. She has been covering some of the world's biggest weather and climate stories for the last two decades.