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.

The first touches of Winter Storm Enzo arrived in Southeast Texas on Monday night as sleet began to fall in the Houston area . Residents from Waller County to Spring and Porter, Texas recorded sleet, wintry precipitation and flurries of now as the sun set and night swept over the region.

Around 40 million people in the U.S. are under a winter storm warning from an unusual blast of severe winter weather.