What Conditions Are Associated with Winter Weather?

Ice

• Ice forms when temperatures drop to or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit and liquid freezes. Ice can cause slick conditions for driving and walking outside. Black ice is a form of ice that is more dangerous than regular ice on roads because it is difficult to see. Black ice forms when the air temperature is higher than the temperature of the pavement, causing a quickly forming, thin sheet of nearly transparent ice.

Sleet and Freezing Rain

• Precipitation can turn to sleet or freezing rain with outside temperatures at or below the freezing point. Freezing rain occurs when the ground and rain temperature are below freezing. Sleet falls in the form of ice when snow passes through pockets of air that are above a freezing temperature, then pass through a pocket of air closer to the ground that is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

Snow

• Snow occurs when precipitation falls to the ground through air that is consistently below a freezing temperature. Even small amounts of snow can be difficult for travel or walking and can be extremely dangerous if you are not careful or prepared with a suitable vehicle and proper foot gear. Large amounts of fallen snow can make travel nearly impossible. When snow storms create blizzard conditions, often area residents are urged to stay within their homes.

Blizzards

• Blizzard conditions occur when heavy snow falls or fallen snow is blown by heavy winds resulting in poor visibility. Blizzard winds blow at a speed of at least 35 miles per hour for at least three hours at a time. These conditions make travel unsafe and can cause power failures in businesses and residences. Blizzards create dangerous wind speeds and intensely low wind-chill factors that are unsafe for being outdoors for even a short period of time.