What is an Ice Storm?

A winter storm that has freezing rain as its main component is the basic cause of an ice storm. The other conditions that are necessary are below freezing ground temperatures, which help the rain turn into ice as soon as it touches any surface. Circumstances such as these are unusual weather phenomena. Super cold rain, which is not snow or sleet, makes up the freezing rain.

In January of 2007, an ice storm hit the southwest part of Missouri, leaving over 200,000 people without power and their landscape looking like a war zone. The ice accumulations ranged from a quarter of an inch to almost two inches. Tree limbs shattered under the weight and were left hanging in sad repose from beautiful old trees. Younger trees were uprooted and layed killed on their sides. Bushes were covered with ice and flattened out due to the weight their branches were never meant to carry. Car doors, hoods and trunks were frozen shut. The only way of opening these frozen autos was by judiciously using hot water to melt the ice. Falling trees or tree limbs knocked down power lines and cable lines. In some cases the weight of the ice alone was enough to bring down the lines.

The streets overnight became treacherous ice rinks, which were driven on by only the most adventurous drivers. Some folks were without power for over a week as the power companies tried to deal with the war nature had engulfed them in. Emergency crews were brought in from nearby states to help with this winter disaster. For all of those effected, this ice storm was one to remember and will be used to gage future storm's severity.

The odd part about an ice storm, is it not only brings disruption and damage, but it brings great beauty when the sun shows again. The ice covered trees and vegetation can be marveled at in their glistening new beautiful attire of ice. The first time a person sees this enhanced glimpse of what nature has done with just rain and temperature that person is caught up in the tragedy and the beauty of the event. Later when the broken trees have been topped and the scarred branches discarded, this odd thought may be forgotten. But, for just a fleeting moment, the ice-sculptured nature takes away the breath with its visual presence. It is this dichotomy of thought that helps to make an ice storm a truly remarkable human experience. Maybe this is nature's way of soothing us for putting up with the ugly aftermath of such a devastating storm. Nothing looks the same after this happens and will never look the same. Grand old trees will only live in our memory and the reality of what has occurred will be visible in the scarred venue we now see. If you take pictures of the ice while it is still present, you will have to omit there is a surreal image that remains with us.