Requirements for an ice storm:
(1) precipitation in the form of sleet or water near the freezing point
(2) ground surfaces that are at or below the freezing point
An ice storm may occur along the front between cold air and warm, moist air. Sometimes a storm may start as snow, change to rain, followed by a sudden drop in temperature that turns everything into ice.
The ice coats all exposed surfaces including utility wires and tree branches.
Hazards of an ice storm:
(1) disruption of telephone and electric power lines, with outages (avoided if utility cables are buried)
(2) falling tree limbs and tress
(3) impassable streets and bridges (bridges freeze first) with numerous accidents
(4) slippery surfaces with numerous falls
(5) difficulty responding to an emergency
(6) making planes and ships unstable unless they are de-iced
If the storm is severe enough even high tension power lines and their towers can be damaged.
