Ice Storms
Areas of the Southeast United States are susceptible to ice storms, including Virginia. Ice storms are a type of winter storm that is caused by freezing rain. As snow falls, it encounters a warm layer of air in the middle of the atmosphere that turns it to rain. Before the rain hits the ground or the surface of an object, it encounters a very shallow layer of cold air that causes the rain to freeze on the cold exposed surfaces. The ice accumulates on trees, power lines, bridges, and roadways causing significant damage and dangerous driving conditions.
Source: Christmas 1998 Ice Storm in Williamsburg, VA
Did You Know?
A major ice storm affected central and eastern Virginia from Wednesday, December 23rd into Friday, December 25th, 1998. A prolonged period of freezing rain and some sleet resulted in ice accumulations to one inch in many locations. The heavy ice accumulations caused widespread power outages across the region, and some customers were without power for about ten days.