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[[Image:Ice storm.jpg|left|thumb|250px| Wires sagging after an ice storm. Besides disrupting transportation, ice storms can disrupt utilities by snapping lines and poles.]]
[[Image:Ice storm.jpg|left|thumb|250px| Wires sagging after an ice storm. Besides disrupting transportation, ice storms can disrupt utilities by snapping lines and poles.]]


The freezing rain from an ice storm covers everything with heavy, smooth [[glaze ice]]. In addition to hazardous driving or walking conditions, branches or even whole trees may break from the weight of ice. Falling branches can block roads, tear down power and telephone lines, and cause other damage. Even without falling trees and tree branches, the weight of the ice itself can easily snap power lines and also break and bring down power/utility poles; even steel frame [[electricity pylon]]s have been sent crashing to the ground by the weight of the ice. This can leave people without power for anywhere from several days to a month. According to most meteorologists, just one quarter of an inch of ice accumulation can add about {{convert|500|lb|kg}} of weight per line span. Damage from ice storms is highly capable of shutting down entire metropolitan areas.
The freezing rain from an ice storm covers everything with heavy, smooth [[glaze ice]]. In addition to hazardous driving or walking conditions, branches or even whole trees may break from the weight of ice. Falling branches can block roads, tear down power and telephone lines, and cause other damage. Even without falling trees and tree branches, the weight of the ice itself can easily snap power lines and also break and bring down power/utility poles; even [[electricity pylon]]'s with steel frames. This can leave people without power for anywhere from several days to a month. According to most meteorologists, just one quarter of an inch of ice accumulation can add about {{convert|500|lb|kg}} of weight per line span. Damage from ice storms is highly capable of shutting down entire metropolitan areas.


[[File:Ice Storm by NOAA.jpg|right|thumb|Devastation caused by an ice storm]]Additionally, the loss of power during ice storms has indirectly caused numerous illnesses and deaths due to unintentional carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. At lower levels, CO poisoning causes symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and headache, but high levels can cause unconsciousness, heart failure, and death.<ref name=Hartling>{{Cite journal | volume = 89 | issue = 3 | pages = 388–390 | last = Hartling | first = L. | last2 = Brison | first2 = R.J. | last3 = Pickett | first3 = W. | title = Cluster of Unintentional Carbon Monoxide Poisonings Presenting to the Emergency Departments of Kingston, Ontario during 'Ice Storm 98' | journal = Canadian Journal of Public Health | date = 1998-11 | url= http://journal.cpha.ca/index.php/cjph/article/viewPDFInterstitial/1139/1139}}</ref> The relatively high incidence of CO poisoning during ice storms occurs due to the use of alternative methods of heating and cooking during prolonged power outages, common during severe ice storms.<ref name=Wrenn>{{Cite book | last = Wrenn | first = K. | last2 = Conners | first2 = G.P. | title = Carbon monoxide poisoning during ice storms: A tale of two cities | publisher = Journal of Emergency Medicine | year = 1997 | edition = 4}}</ref> Gas generators, charcoal and propane barbecues, and kerosene heaters contribute to CO poisoning when they operate in confined locations.<ref name="Hartling"/> CO is produced when appliances burn fuel without enough oxygen present,<ref name=Griefe>{{Cite book | last = Griefe | first = A.L. | last2 = Goldenhar | first2 = L.M. | last3 = Freund | first3 = E. | title = Carbon monoxide poisoning from gasoline-powered engines: Risk perception among midwest flood victims | publisher = American Journal of Public Health | year = 1997 | edition = 3}}</ref> such as basements and other indoor locations.
[[File:Ice Storm by NOAA.jpg|right|thumb|Devastation caused by an ice storm]]Additionally, the loss of power during ice storms has indirectly caused numerous illnesses and deaths due to unintentional carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. At lower levels, CO poisoning causes symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and headache, but high levels can cause unconsciousness, heart failure, and death.<ref name=Hartling>{{Cite journal | volume = 89 | issue = 3 | pages = 388–390 | last = Hartling | first = L. | last2 = Brison | first2 = R.J. | last3 = Pickett | first3 = W. | title = Cluster of Unintentional Carbon Monoxide Poisonings Presenting to the Emergency Departments of Kingston, Ontario during 'Ice Storm 98' | journal = Canadian Journal of Public Health | date = 1998-11 | url= http://journal.cpha.ca/index.php/cjph/article/viewPDFInterstitial/1139/1139}}</ref> The relatively high incidence of CO poisoning during ice storms occurs due to the use of alternative methods of heating and cooking during prolonged power outages, common during severe ice storms.<ref name=Wrenn>{{Cite book | last = Wrenn | first = K. | last2 = Conners | first2 = G.P. | title = Carbon monoxide poisoning during ice storms: A tale of two cities | publisher = Journal of Emergency Medicine | year = 1997 | edition = 4}}</ref> Gas generators, charcoal and propane barbecues, and kerosene heaters contribute to CO poisoning when they operate in confined locations.<ref name="Hartling"/> CO is produced when appliances burn fuel without enough oxygen present,<ref name=Griefe>{{Cite book | last = Griefe | first = A.L. | last2 = Goldenhar | first2 = L.M. | last3 = Freund | first3 = E. | title = Carbon monoxide poisoning from gasoline-powered engines: Risk perception among midwest flood victims | publisher = American Journal of Public Health | year = 1997 | edition = 3}}</ref> such as basements and other indoor locations.

Revision as of 12:11, 7 June 2013

For other uses, see Ice storm (disambiguation).
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An ice storm is a type of winter storm characterized by freezing rain, also known as a glaze event or, in some parts of the United States, as a silver thaw.[1] The U.S. National Weather Service defines an ice storm as a storm which results in the accumulation of at least 0.25-inch (6.4 mm) of ice on exposed surfaces.[2] From 1982 to 1994, ice storms were more common than blizzards and averaged 16 per year.[3]

Formation

A graph showing the formation of different kinds of precipitate as a function of height and temperature.

Ice storms occur when a layer of warm air is between two layers of cold air. Frozen precipitation melts to rain while falling into the warm air layer, and then begins to refreeze in the cold layer below the inversion. If the precipitate refreezes while still in the air, it will land on the ground as sleet. Alternatively, the liquid droplets can continue to fall without freezing, passing through the cold air just above the surface. This thin layer of air then cools the rain to a temperature below freezing (0 °C or 32 °F). However, the drops themselves do not freeze, a phenomenon called supercooling (or forming "supercooled drops"). When the supercooled drops strike ground or anything else below 0 °C (32 °F) (e.g. power lines, tree branches, aircraft), a layer of ice accumulates as the cold water drips off, forming a slowly thickening film of ice, hence freezing rain.[4][5][6]

While meteorologists can predict when and where an ice storm will occur, some storms still occur with little or no warning.[5] Most ice storms are thought to form primarily in the north-eastern US, but damaging storms have occurred farther south. An ice storm in February 1994 resulted in tremendous ice accumulation as far south as Mississippi, and caused reported damage in nine states. More timber was damaged than that caused by Hurricane Camille. An ice storm in eastern Washington in November 1996 directly followed heavy snowfall. The combined weight of the snow and 25 to 37 millimeters (0.98 to 1.46 in) of ice caused considerable widespread damage. This was considered to be the most severe ice storm in the Spokane area since 1940.[3]

Effect

Wires sagging after an ice storm. Besides disrupting transportation, ice storms can disrupt utilities by snapping lines and poles.

The freezing rain from an ice storm covers everything with heavy, smooth glaze ice. In addition to hazardous driving or walking conditions, branches or even whole trees may break from the weight of ice. Falling branches can block roads, tear down power and telephone lines, and cause other damage. Even without falling trees and tree branches, the weight of the ice itself can easily snap power lines and also break and bring down power/utility poles; even electricity pylon's with steel frames. This can leave people without power for anywhere from several days to a month. According to most meteorologists, just one quarter of an inch of ice accumulation can add about 500 pounds (230 kg) of weight per line span. Damage from ice storms is highly capable of shutting down entire metropolitan areas.

Devastation caused by an ice storm

Additionally, the loss of power during ice storms has indirectly caused numerous illnesses and deaths due to unintentional carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. At lower levels, CO poisoning causes symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and headache, but high levels can cause unconsciousness, heart failure, and death.[7] The relatively high incidence of CO poisoning during ice storms occurs due to the use of alternative methods of heating and cooking during prolonged power outages, common during severe ice storms.[8] Gas generators, charcoal and propane barbecues, and kerosene heaters contribute to CO poisoning when they operate in confined locations.[7] CO is produced when appliances burn fuel without enough oxygen present,[9] such as basements and other indoor locations.

Loss of electricity during ice storms can also easily lead to hypothermia and even death from hypothermia. It can also lead to ruptured pipes due to water freezing inside the pipes.

Tree sensitivity to sap coloration and resistance to crown damage from an ice storm.[3]
Sensitivity to sap coloration Resistance to ice damage to crown
Low or average Average or strong Strong

Sensitive

Insensitive

Notable ice storms

An ice storm which struck northern Idaho in January 1961 set a record for thickest recorded ice accumulation from a single storm in the United States, at 8 inches.[10][11]

In March 1991, a major ice storm in the area of Rochester, NY caused $375 million in damages, placing it among the worst natural disasters in New York State history.[12]

In February 1994, a severe ice storm caused over $1 billion in damage in the Southern United States, primarily in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Alabama.

The North American ice storm of 1998 occurred during January 5–9, 1998. It was one of the most damaging and costly ice storms in North American history. The storm caused massive power failures in several large cities on the East Coast of the United States. The most affected area was extreme eastern Ontario and southwestern Quebec in Canada, where over 3 million people were without power for up to a month and a half. Whole trees snapped and electrical pylons were completely flattened under the weight of the accumulated ice.[13]

The Northeastern United States was impacted by a major ice storm on December 11–12, 2008, which left about 1.25 million homes and businesses without power. Areas impacted with 3⁄4 to 1 in (19 to 25 mm) of ice accumulation included eastern New York in the Albany area, central and western Massachusetts, southern New Hampshire, coastal and south-central Maine, Pennsylvania in the Pocono Mountains region, northwestern Connecticut, and southern Vermont. Southern New Hampshire and northernmost Massachusetts got hit the worst with the storm with ice accumulations ranging from 1.5 to 3 in (38 to 76 mm) of ice. This left residents unable to get supplies, go to work etc. due to blocked roads from trees that fell on the roads. Any trees that fell quickly took down power poles. It took utility crews from 4 to as much as 16 days to get a look at the damage and start to restore power to nearly 1.3 million people. In all there were 675,000 residents in New Hampshire without power and around 500,000 in northern Massachusetts. [citation needed]

In late January, 2009, ice storms covered several U.S. states, including Arkansas and Kentucky. Most areas affected saw over 2 in (51 mm) of ice accumulation, and between 1–5 in (25–127 mm) of snow on top of the ice. This ice storm left well over 2 million people without power at its peak and killed 55 people, 24 in Kentucky.[14] Rural Water Associations in Arkansas and Kentucky activated emergency response plans to deal with power loss to small water utilities across their states. Neighboring state Rural Water Associations, including experienced emergency responders from Louisiana and Florida, loaned equipment and manpower to assist the hardest-hit areas.[15][16]

During the unusually severe winter of 2009–2010 in the United Kingdom, heavy snow had fallen over much of the country in late December and early January. By the second week of January, many of the roads and pavements had been cleared by local councils due to the use of rock salt gritting. However, during the early hours of 12 January, a wet front[clarification needed] moved across the country, causing freezing rain and heavy ice glaze, particularly in the South and West Yorkshire areas of Northern England (crucially, this rainfall had stopped before first light). When the local population prepared to set out for work and school, they saw from their windows what appeared to be clear roads and pavements but were in fact treacherous sheets of black ice. Cars and buses almost immediately encounted extreme difficulty, and emergency services were called to dozens of accidents. Pedestrians in the village of Holmfirth found the only safe way to proceed was to crawl on all fours.[17] Accident and emergency units at hospitals in the Sheffield, Rotherham, and Barnsley areas found themselves inundated by people with broken bones, fractures, and sprains, and many schools were closed as it was judged unsafe for pupils to attempt to make their way there.

On December 25, 2010, freezing rain fell on Moscow and vicinity. The glaze ice accumulation caused a number of accidents and power outages, of which the most serious was damage caused to two power lines feeding Domodedovo Airport, causing a complete blackout of the airport and express railway that connected it to the city. As a result, the airport was shut down and hundreds of passengers were stranded inside, with taxi drivers charging up to 10,000 rubles (USD 330) for a one-hour drive to the city.[18] Other city airports, Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo, where air traffic was re-routed and amid heavy snowfall that followed ice rain, collapsed a day later, causing a full air transport collapse.

  • A tree covered in ice from the Northeastern Ice Storm of 2008.
    A tree covered in ice from the Northeastern Ice Storm of 2008.
  • A street in Elora, Ontario, Canada after an ice storm, sometime between 1900 and 1919.
    A street in Elora, Ontario, Canada after an ice storm, sometime between 1900 and 1919.
  • A pinecone covered in ice, showing the results of a winter ice storm.
    A pinecone covered in ice, showing the results of a winter ice storm.
  • A buildup of ice on a branch after an ice storm.
    A buildup of ice on a branch after an ice storm.
  • Car after an ice storm hit central Iowa in 2007.
    Car after an ice storm hit central Iowa in 2007.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Glossary of Meteorology, Section S". AMS Glossary. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
  2. ^ Hauer, Richard J.; Dawson, Jeffrey O.; Werner, Les P. (2006). Trees and Ice Storms - The Development of Ice Storm-Resistant Urban Tree Populations (PDF) (2 ed.). College of Natural Resources, University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences and the Office of Continuing Education, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
  3. ^ a b c Irland, Lloyd C. (2000-11-15). "Ice Storms and forest impacts". The Science of the Total Environment. 262 (1): 231–242. doi:10.1016/S0048-9697(00)00525-8. ISSN 0048-9697.
  4. ^ Gay, David A. (1993-12-30). "Freezing rain and sleet climatology of the southeastern USA" (PDF). Climate Research. 3 (1): 209–220. doi:10.3354/cr003209. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ a b "Ice Storms". City of Savannah, Georgia. Retrieved 2009-01-08.
  6. ^ University of Illinois. "Cyclones and Fronts: the definition of freezing rain". Retrieved 2009-01-09.
  7. ^ a b Hartling, L.; Brison, R.J.; Pickett, W. (1998-11). "Cluster of Unintentional Carbon Monoxide Poisonings Presenting to the Emergency Departments of Kingston, Ontario during 'Ice Storm 98'". Canadian Journal of Public Health. 89 (3): 388–390. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ Wrenn, K.; Conners, G.P. (1997). Carbon monoxide poisoning during ice storms: A tale of two cities (4 ed.). Journal of Emergency Medicine.
  9. ^ Griefe, A.L.; Goldenhar, L.M.; Freund, E. (1997). Carbon monoxide poisoning from gasoline-powered engines: Risk perception among midwest flood victims (3 ed.). American Journal of Public Health.
  10. ^ National Weather Service — January 3, 2010. Accessed 1-3-2010.
  11. ^ "On this day in weather history". weatherforyou.com. Retrieved 2012-09-09.
  12. ^ "Looking Back: Twenty Years Since Ice Storm of 1991". ynn.com. 2011-03-02. Retrieved 2013-03-23.
  13. ^ McCready, Jim (2004). "Ice Storm 1998: Lessons learned" (PDF). Eastern Ontario Model Forest. Retrieved 2006-09-10.
  14. ^ "National Death Toll Hits 55 in Ice Storm, 24 in KY". ABC News. 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-02. [dead link‍]
  15. ^ Jan. 29 2009 "Arkansas Rural Water fighting ice to bring generators to powerless utilities". National Rural Water Association. 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-29. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help) [dead link‍]
  16. ^ "700,000 without power - Kentucky Rural Water Association helps with recovery from ice storm". National Rural Water Association. 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-02. [dead link‍]
  17. ^ BBC News (14 January 2010). "Council grit supplies run low in West Yorkshire". BBC. Retrieved 2010-10-13.
  18. ^ "В аэропорту "Домодедово" отключили электричество (Domodedovo Airport is blacked out)". Lenta.ru. December 26, 2010. Retrieved December 26, 2010.
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