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An ice storm is a type of winter storm characterized by freezing rain, also known as a glaze event or in some parts of the United States as a silver thaw.
The U.S. National Weather Service defines an ice storm as a storm which results in the accumulation of at least 0.25-inch (0.64 cm) of ice on exposed surfaces.
Frozen precipitation melts while falling into the warm air layer, and then proceeds to refreeze in the cold layer above the ground. If the precipitate is partially melted, it will land on the ground as sleet. However, if the warm layer completely melts the precipitate, becoming rain, the liquid droplets will continue to fall, and pass through a thin layer of cold air just above the surface. This thin layer of air then cools the rain to a temperature below freezing (0 °C). However, the drops themselves do not freeze, a phenomenon called supercooling (or forming "supercooled drops"). When the supercooled drops strike ground below 0 °C or anything else below 0 °C (power lines, tree branches, aircraft), they instantly freeze, forming a thin film of ice, hence freezing rain.
The freezing rain from an ice storm covers everything with heavy, smooth glaze ice.
Ice-covered roads become slippery and hazardous, as the ice causes vehicles to skid out of control, which can cause devastating car crashes as well as pile-ups.
Pedestrians are severely affected as sidewalks become slippery, causing people to slip and fall, and outside stairs can become an extreme injury hazard.
In addition to hazardous driving or walking conditions, branches or even whole trees may break from the weight of ice. Falling branches can block roads, tear down power and telephone lines, and cause other damage. Even without falling trees and tree branches, the weight of the ice itself can easily snap power lines and also break and bring down power/utility poles; even steel frame electricity pylons have been sent crashing to the ground by the weight of the ice.
This can leave people without power for several days to a month.
According to most meteorologists, just one quarter of an inch of ice accumulation can add about 500 pounds of weight per line span. Damage from ice storms is highly capable of shutting down entire metropolitan areas.
Injuries due to ice and snow
Ice Storms can cause the following:
Hypothermia from wind and ice
Crushing injuries from roof collapse and falling trees
Electrocution from exposed power lines
Falling injuries from slick ice
Auto injuries from slick roads
May also cause:
Societal breakdowns, food shortages, power outage, transportation issues
After the ice storm you will be faced with the rule of 3's basic survival skills
Early preparedness is the key to surviving the devastation these storms always leave in their wake.
If you go outside
Watch your step, slow solid steps with hand holds are best. Watch for falling limbs, power lines and ice.
Stay away from fallen power lines to avoid shock; metal fences may also become energized by live wires.
If you drive your vehicle
Go slow and avoid ice; you can not control your vehicle on ice. If you do not see ice, you can still be caught off guard by black ice, which is a layer of ice that is hard to see.
If you crash your vehicle
Stay in your vehicle until it is safe safe to get out; then move away to a safe area to avoid being hit by other vehicles.
Winter storm hazards by region
