Ice storms — also referred to as “glaze storms” — are caused by freezing rain. The raindrops move into a thin layer of below-freezing air right near the surface of the earth, allowing them to freeze on contact to the ground, trees, cars and other objects.

Ice accumulates when super-cold rain freezes on contact with surfaces that are below freezing point. That can be dangerous, especially for older adults. You can walk a senior’s dog to keep them injury free! Sign up for Dog Days of Winter.

Throughout the US, ice storms occur most often during the months of December and January, usually during the coldest part of the day: sunrise.Ice storms have the bizarre effect of entombing everything in the landscape with a glaze of ice so heavy that it can split trees in half and turn roads and pavements into lethal sheets of smooth, thick ice.

Ice can increase the weight of branches by 30 times.

30 Amazing Ice Storm Photography