[--MAIN HOME--] [--ALL HABYHINTS--] [--FACEBOOK PAGE--] LOCAL FREAKISH WX SERIES: HEAVY FREEZING RAIN METEOROLOGIST JEFF HABY Freezing rain can be the most dangerous of winter weather events, especially when all objects on the ground are below freezing. One factor that makes it so dangerous is the accumulation of ice on objects such as trees, power lines and antennas. This can cause significant damage to trees, power lines being brought down, electricity going out for an extended amount of time and crippling impacts on transportation. The heavier the precipitation, then the more significant and destructive the event can be. Many freezing drizzle/rain events consist of drizzle and light freezing rain. In some situations though, heavy freezing rain can occur. This results in a freakish ice storm. The heaviest of freezing rain will result from a strong convective thunderstorm. The troposphere aloft can be warmer and moist due to the transport of warm air and moisture. This layer of air can flow over a subfreezing layer of air that is hugging the ground surface. These events can be accompanied by thunder and lightning. The heavy freezing rain produces crippling impacts that occur very quickly. Whole branches on trees crack to the ground, power lines are brought down and roads are coated in ice. Travel becomes very difficult if not impossible due to vehicles being unable to drive on the ice. The power can go out for days as trees crash down on power lines. Severe damage occurs to vegetation and property. The witnessing of a freezing rain thunderstorm with heavy rain is freakish indeed.