Ice storm

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Devastation caused by an ice storm

An ice storm, also known as a glaze event or a silver storm, is a type of winter storm characterized by freezing rain.[1] The U.S. National Weather Service defines an ice storm as a storm which results in the accumulation of at least 0.25-inch (6.4 mm) of ice on exposed surfaces.[2][3] They are generally not violent storms but instead are commonly perceived as gentle rains occurring at temperatures just below freezing.

Formation

A graph showing the formation of different kinds of precipitation.

The formation of ice begins with a layer of above-freezing air above a layer of sub-freezing temperatures closer to the surface. Frozen

supercooled drops"). When the supercooled drops strike ground or anything else below 0 °C (32 °F) (e.g. power lines, tree branches, aircraft), a layer of ice accumulates as the cold water drips off, forming a slowly thickening film of ice, hence freezing rain.[4][5][6]

While meteorologists can predict when and where an ice storm will occur, some storms still occur with little or no warning.[5] In the United States, most ice storms occur in the northeastern region, but damaging storms have occurred farther south; an ice storm in February 1994 resulted in tremendous ice accumulation as far south as Mississippi, and caused reported damage in nine states.[7][8]

Effect

Power lines and groups pulled down after an ice storm. Besides disrupting transportation, ice storms can disrupt utilities by snapping lines and poles.

The freezing rain from an ice storm covers everything with heavy, smooth

electricity pylons with steel frames. This can leave people without power for anywhere from several days to a month. According to most meteorologists
, just 0.25-inch (6.4 mm) of ice accumulation can add about 500 pounds (230 kg) of weight per line span. Damage from ice storms is easily capable of shutting down entire metropolitan areas.

Additionally, the loss of power during ice storms has indirectly caused numerous illnesses and deaths due to unintentional carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. At lower levels, CO poisoning causes symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and headache, but high levels can cause unconsciousness, heart failure, and death.[10] The relatively high incidence of CO poisoning during ice storms occurs due to the use of alternative methods of heating and cooking during prolonged power outages, common after severe ice storms.[11] Gas generators, charcoal and propane barbecues, and kerosene heaters contribute to CO poisoning when they operate in confined locations.[10] CO is produced when appliances burn fuel without enough oxygen present,[12] such as basements and other indoor locations.

Loss of electricity during ice storms can indirectly lead to hypothermia and result in death. It can also lead to ruptured pipes due to water freezing inside the pipes.

Gallery

  • A tree covered in ice
    A tree covered in ice
  • Detail of a pinecone covered in ice
    Detail of a
    pinecone
    covered in ice
  • A buildup of ice on a branch after an ice storm
    A buildup of ice on a branch after an ice storm
  • Car after an ice storm
    Car after an ice storm
  • A weeping willow tree damaged by an ice storm
    A weeping willow tree damaged by an ice storm

See also

References

  1. ^ "NASA Earth Data". NASA. 2022.
  2. ^ Hauer, Richard J.; Dawson, Jeffrey O.; Werner, Les P. (2006). Trees and Ice Storms - The Development of Ice Storm-Resistant Urban Tree Populations (2 ed.). College of Natural Resources, University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences and the Office of Continuing Education, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 21, 2007.
  3. ^ "NOAA Weather Glossary". National Weather Service. 2022.
  4. .
  5. ^ a b "Ice Storms". City of Savannah, Georgia. Archived from the original on 2007-07-28. Retrieved 2009-01-08.
  6. ^ University of Illinois. "Cyclones and Fronts: the definition of freezing rain". Retrieved 2009-01-09.
  7. PMID 11087029
    .
  8. ^ "WS Jackson, MS--February 1994 Delta Ice Storm". National Weather Service. 2022.
  9. ^ "Ice Storm Facts for Kids". Fast Facts for Kids. 2022.
  10. ^
    PMID 9926497. Archived from the original
    on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2009-11-28.
  11. ^ Wrenn, K.; Conners, G.P. (1997). Carbon monoxide poisoning during ice storms: A tale of two cities (4 ed.). Journal of Emergency Medicine.
  12. ^ Griefe, A.L.; Goldenhar, L.M.; Freund, E. (1997). Carbon monoxide poisoning from gasoline-powered engines: Risk perception among midwest flood victims (3 ed.). American Journal of Public Health.

External links