What is an ice storm?
Quick Answer
An ice storm is a storm that causes significant accumulation of freezing rain, coating surfaces with ice. Even a thin layer can damage infrastructure and trees.
The Full Story
Ice storms are not defined by snow or wind alone, but by the buildup of glaze ice from freezing rain. The weight of the ice can snap branches, collapse power lines, and make roads impassable. Large ice storms have caused major emergencies in North America, including the 1998 ice storm in eastern Canada and the northeastern United States. These events are among the most disruptive winter weather hazards because the damage can last for days or weeks.
Key Facts
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"When a storm doesn’t bury you in snow — it glazes the world in ice."
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