freezing rain

Freezing rain is a type of precipitation that occurs when rain falls as a liquid but freezes upon contact with surfaces like the ground, trees, or roads. This phenomenon is part of the broader category of precipitation, which begins as ice crystals in clouds. These ice crystals can grow and fall as snow, or melt into liquid droplets before reaching the ground.12

If these liquid droplets encounter a layer of sub-freezing air near the surface, they can become supercooled. When these supercooled droplets strike a cold surface, they freeze instantly, creating a glaze of ice. This ice accumulation can be hazardous, causing slippery roads, breaking tree branches, and downing power lines. Freezing rain is distinct from sleet, which are ice pellets that form when raindrops freeze while still in the air.3245