Page 163 - Super Earth Encyclopedia

SHROUDED

IN ICE

ICE STORM

Water in the air usually freezes at 32°F (0°C), but it
needs something to freeze onto, such as the tiny particles
of dust that allow it to form snowflakes. If the air is very
pure, airborne water can be chilled to well below its usual
freezing point. If this supercooled water then touches
something cold, it freezes almost instantly to create thick
layers of ice. These ice storms can smother trees, buildings,
and even vehicles with enough heavy ice to make them
collapse, and they can cause more damage than the
howling winds of a hurricane.

FROZEN SOLID

A deep freeze engulfed these
cars parked on the shores of
Lake Geneva, Switzerland, in
2005. It was caused by water
being swept off the lake by very
cold winds. Other ice storms
are caused by freezing rain—
supercooled liquid raindrops
that freeze solid when they
land on ice-cold surfaces.

STATS AND FACTS

ICY HAZARD POWER SUPPLY
An ice storm is not
a violent, windy Some ice storms In 1998, an ice
only last for hours,
storm in Canada
ICE HOUSE event. It usually enough time to left 3 million people
happens silently, turn trees and cars without power for
Supercooled spray blowing at night, as ice into ice statues. up to six weeks.
off Lake Michigan, USA, in slowly builds up
the winter of 2014 froze onto into a thick glaze Up to 8 in (20 cm) of ice can EXTREME WEATHER
build up from the accumulation
a lighthouse to create this that can paralyze ICE BUILD UP of freezing rain during an ice storm.
incredible scene. The water an entire city for cm 5 10 15 20
often drips before it freezes, many weeks.
forming spectacular icicles. in 2 4 6 8

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