winter rain; freezing rain
Rain that falls during winter, often cold and sometimes freezing upon contact with surfaces. In meteorological contexts, it can specifically refer to freezing rain.
Freezing rain may fall tonight.
ice pellet; sleet
Small, transparent or translucent pellets of ice that form when raindrops freeze before reaching the ground. In everyday language, often called sleet, though meteorologically distinct from snow pellets.
Ice pellets are hitting the window and making noise.