FREEZE RAIN Meaning and
Definition
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Freeze rain, also known as freezing rain, is a type of precipitation that falls in liquid form but freezes upon contact with cold surfaces, such as the ground or objects, creating a coating of ice. It is a weather phenomenon that occurs when raindrops pass through a layer of subfreezing air in the lower atmosphere near the surface of the Earth.
Unlike sleet, which is made up of small ice pellets that bounce upon impact, freeze rain remains in its liquid state as it reaches the frigid ground. The raindrops have a temperature above freezing as they traverse through warmer upper layers of the atmosphere. However, as they descend into a layer of surface-level subfreezing air, they undergo a rapid phase change from liquid to ice, immediately freezing upon contact.
Freeze rain creates hazardous conditions due to the accumulation of ice on surfaces such as roads, sidewalks, trees, and power lines. When ice accumulates on roads, it forms a slick and extremely slippery layer, making driving and walking treacherous. Additionally, ice buildup on power lines and tree limbs can cause them to become heavy or snap, resulting in power outages and potential damage to structures.
Winter storms that produce freeze rain often come with a high risk of accidents and disruptions to transportation and infrastructure. Forecasting and detecting freeze rain conditions are crucial to providing accurate weather warnings and advising precautionary measures to minimize the negative impacts of this hazardous weather phenomenon.
Etymology of FREEZE RAIN
The term "freeze rain" is a combination of two words: "freeze" and "rain".
The word "freeze" dates back to Old English, where it was spelled "freosan". It is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "freusan", which means "to freeze". This word has roots in the Proto-Indo-European base "*preus-", meaning "to freeze".
The word "rain" also has Old English origins, spelled as "regn". It is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "regna", which means "rain". This word can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root "*reg-", meaning "moist, wet".
When these two words are combined, "freeze rain" refers to a weather phenomenon where raindrops freeze upon contact with surfaces that have a temperature below freezing point.
