Frozen precipitation refers to any form of precipitation that falls from the atmosphere as a solid. This includes a variety of forms, the most common being snow, sleet, freezing rain, and hail.
Types of Frozen Precipitation
Here's a breakdown of different types of frozen precipitation:
- Snow: Ice crystals that fall as flakes. It forms when water vapor in the atmosphere freezes at temperatures below 32°F (0°C).
- Sleet: Small, translucent balls of ice. Sleet forms when raindrops fall through a layer of freezing air. They freeze before hitting the ground.
- Freezing Rain: Rain that falls as liquid but freezes upon contact with a surface that is at or below freezing. This leads to the formation of a glaze of ice. Freezing rain is especially dangerous because it can create extremely slippery conditions.
- Hail: Balls or irregular lumps of ice. Hail typically forms in thunderstorms and can range in size from small pebbles to larger, destructive masses.
Factors Affecting Frozen Precipitation
The type of frozen precipitation that occurs depends on the temperature profile of the atmosphere. Key factors include:
- Surface Temperature: Determines whether liquid precipitation freezes upon contact.
- Atmospheric Temperature Layers: A complex interplay of warm and cold air layers determines if precipitation will be snow, sleet, or freezing rain.
- Humidity: Affects the rate of ice crystal growth.
Hazards Associated with Frozen Precipitation
Frozen precipitation poses several hazards, including:
- Slippery Conditions: Ice and snow can create dangerous driving and walking conditions.
- Power Outages: Ice can weigh down power lines, causing them to break.
- Damage to Infrastructure: Hail can damage buildings, vehicles, and crops.
- Injuries: Freezing precipitation is responsible for a significant percentage of winter weather-related injuries.
