Freezing rainWorldwide
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411. Freezing rain
Freezing rain occurs when supercooled raindrops freeze on contact with cold roads, vehicles and other surfaces, creating a thin layer of ice. This can make roads extremely slippery even when they appear wet rather than frozen. Drivers should reduce speed, increase their following distance and avoid sudden acceleration, steering or braking. Bridges, shaded sections and untreated roads can become particularly hazardous, and conditions may change quickly as freezing rain continues.
Wikimedia.org • Famartin • CC BY-SA
What is freezing rain?
Freezing rain is rain that freezes when it reaches a sufficiently cold surface, forming a layer of ice on roads, vehicles and other objects.
🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code, Rules 226–237, adverse weather; national guidance example
🔗 weather.metoffice.gov.uk • Met Office, freezing rain formation
🔗 weather.metoffice.gov.uk • Met Office, frost, transparent glaze and black ice
🔗 ops.fhwa.dot.gov • US FHWA, anti-icing chemistry and treatment timing
Why is freezing rain dangerous for drivers?
Freezing rain can create very slippery and difficult-to-see ice, greatly reducing tyre grip and making steering and braking more difficult.
🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code, Rules 226–237, adverse weather; national guidance example
🔗 weather.metoffice.gov.uk • Met Office, freezing rain formation
🔗 weather.metoffice.gov.uk • Met Office, frost, transparent glaze and black ice
🔗 ops.fhwa.dot.gov • US FHWA, anti-icing chemistry and treatment timing
How should you drive in freezing rain?
Reduce speed, increase your following distance and use smooth acceleration, steering and braking. Avoid unnecessary driving if conditions become extremely slippery.
🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code, Rules 226–237, adverse weather; national guidance example
🔗 weather.metoffice.gov.uk • Met Office, freezing rain formation
🔗 weather.metoffice.gov.uk • Met Office, frost, transparent glaze and black ice
🔗 ops.fhwa.dot.gov • US FHWA, anti-icing chemistry and treatment timing

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