Frost Covered Treeline In Fingerlakes Country Hilltop Stock Photo

The freezing level is the elevation at which the air temperature is 32 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature, water freezes, including particles of moisture in the air. Below the freezing level, the air temperature is positive and the moisture does not freeze; above the freezing level, the air temperature is negative, and the moisture freezes. The higher the freezing level, the colder the air and the faster and stronger the moisture freezes. In other words, this is the line that separates snow and rain, or where the snow stops melting. This also explains why there is snow on the top of the mountains.