SAVANNAH, Ga. () – As we anticipate the potential for winter weather in the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry this week, many immediately think of snow. However, snow is just one type of winter precipitation. The most hazardous form of winter weather is freezing rain, which can pose serious risks to travel and safety.

Freezing rain begins as snow in the upper atmosphere, but as it descends, it passes through a warmer layer of air. When the surface temperature is at or below freezing, the precipitation falls as rain, only to freeze upon contact with cold surfaces. Even a thin layer of ice can be dangerously slippery, creating significant hazards for people and causing potentially severe damage to trees, power lines, and infrastructure.

1/10 inch: Disruptive

1/10 an inch of ice is a light glaze enough to create slippery conditions on roads and sidewalks, making travel hazardous.

1/4 inch: Dangerous

¼ an inch of ice is considered heavy and can weigh down trees and power lines, potentially causing power outages. This amount of ice also significantly impacts travel, creating dangerous road conditions and increasing the risk of accidents.

1/2 inch: Devastating

½ an inch of ice is a severe threat, leading to widespread power outages, extensive damage to trees and infrastructure, and making travel nearly impossible. Even routine activities are heavily disrupted, and conditions become extremely hazardous.

A reminder that when freezing rain occurs, stay off the roads and exercise extreme caution before stepping outside. Ice can make surfaces dangerously slippery, increasing the risk of falls and causing vehicles to skid or drift off the road. Safety should always be your top priority.