Ice Storms
Areas of the Southeast United States are susceptible to ice storms, including Louisiana. 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: Weather.gov
Did You Know?
There have been many ice storms in Louisiana history, including a significant event that occurred in January 1997. Freezing rain started to fall in the surrounding area near Lake Charles on January 12, and lasted through the evening of January 13. Accumulations of 1/4 to an inch of ice were reported across portions of the state and major interstates, such as I-20 between Shreveport to Alexandria, were closed.