Freezing Rain Events: A Major Weather Hazard in the Conterminous US

This article reports on a study that evaluated freezing rain (FZRA) events in the United States for the period 1928-2001. The authors developed a national and regional climatology of freezing rain events. They note that FZRA is well documented as a major weather hazard, producing damage to structures, the environment, and humans, and having an impact on various operations such as transportation. Assessing the risk of freezing rain events requires information for various areas of the nation about the frequency, duration, and intensity of these events along with the associated weather conditions that affect the damage caused by freezing rain. The data collected and synthesized include temperatures (dry and wet bulb), the amount of precipitation, and winds during freezing rain. Wind conditions in conjunction with FZRA are important, as they affect the amount of ice formation as well as cause damage to structures that have collected ice. FZRA events were shown to be most frequent in the Northeast, with secondary peaks across the Midwest and in the Piedmont of North Carolina northward. Much of the western third of the nation had few or no freezing rain events. The Southeast had higher frequencies of higher dew point temperatures than other regions and also experienced higher amounts of precipitation with FZRA. The authors stress that freezing rain events can cause significant damage to trees, telephone and power lines, and agriculture, with even small amounts of ice causing slippery conditions for humans and transportation.

• Authors:
  • Houston, Tamara G
  • Changnon, Stanley A
• Publication Date: 2007-2

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; Maps; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 485-494
• Serial:
  • Natural Hazards
  • Volume: 40
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: United Nations

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Data collection; Dew point; Geography; Highways; Ice; Icing; Precipitation (Meteorology); Rain; Structures; Surface course (Pavements); Temperature; Weather; Wind
• Geographic Terms: Northeastern United States; Southeastern United States; United States; Western States
• Subject Areas: Environment; Highways; I15: Environment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01121869
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 17 2009 12:31PM