Knowra Ice storm Ice storm An ice storm is a storm in which freezing rain deposits a substantial layer of ice on exposed surfaces, creating hazards and often damaging trees and power lines.
Freezing rain : Rain that remains liquid below freezing and freezes when it contacts a surface. It is the precipitation that coats surfaces during an ice storm.
Power outage : A loss of electrical service to homes, businesses, or other users. Ice-laden branches and lines can break, interrupting electricity across wide areas.
North American ice storm of 1998 : A major January 1998 ice storm that devastated parts of eastern Canada and the northeastern United States. Its prolonged freezing rain produced exceptional damage to forests, utilities, and communities.
Electric power transmission : The bulk movement of electricity from generating stations to substations over high-voltage networks. Ice accumulation can overload transmission infrastructure and complicate restoration after failures.
Temperature inversion : An atmospheric layer in which temperature increases with altitude rather than decreasing. A warm layer aloft can melt falling snow before it enters subfreezing air near the ground.
Tree failure : The breaking or uprooting of a tree or its limbs under mechanical stress. Accumulated ice adds weight to branches and increases the chance of breakage.
January 2009 ice storm : A severe January 2009 ice storm that affected parts of the central and southern United States. It caused widespread power failures and demonstrates the vulnerability of utility networks.
Emergency management : The organization of preparedness, response, and recovery for hazards and disasters. Ice storms require coordinated responses to outages, blocked roads, and isolated communities.
Ice accretion : The buildup of ice as freezing precipitation or supercooled droplets collect on a surface. Its rate and thickness determine how severe the storm’s coating becomes.
Road icing : The formation of ice on a road surface, reducing tire grip and vehicle control. Freezing rain can turn roads into slippery surfaces even when they appear merely wet.
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