Ice Storms typically occur every 8 to 10 years in most places that get ice storms.
Thankfully ice storms don't occur every year but when they do they can cause major damage and major power outages that can last for weeks.
Freezing Rain Advisories often have 6-18 hours of advance notice.
Frequency: * Major ice storms are uncommon in some areas, but happen 0-2 times/25 years on average in any one spot.
* Minor icing events are much more common and often happen a few times per winter.
The states that have the most ice storms include the states of Vermont, eastern and southern New York, eastern Pennsylvania, and far northwest New Jersey, where some locations averaged 4-5 ice storms.
Arkansas has some ice storms as well but not as often as most other states.
In the United States, most ice storms are in the northeastern part of the country, but damaging storms have occurred farther south; an ice storm in February 1994 resulted in tremendous ice accumulation as far south as Mississippi, and caused reported damage in nine states.
Freezing rain is what causes ice storms.
An ice storm occurs when large amounts of freezing rain continue for several hours.
Ice Storms can also include wind, ice fog and cold temperatures.
Freezing rain can cause damage by creating a heavy load wherever the ice forms.
Ice Storms are basically a freezing rain storm.
Ice storms occur when the raindrops move into a thin layer of below-freezing air right near the surface of the earth, allowing them to freeze on contact to the ground, trees, cars and other objects.
Ice then accumulates when super-cold rain freezes on contact with surfaces that are below freezing point.
Ice Storms can be dangerous and can cause widespread power outages as well and the power outages can last for a week or more.
So if you're area is prone to ice storms then you should be prepared for a power outage and having a backup generator would be a good idea.
Or even a good portable generator that operates on propane or gasoline or both.
Before an ice storm get plenty of gasoline for your generator to have on hand.
I always try to keep at least 110 gallons of gasoline on hand when winter comes around to have plenty of gasoline for my generator.
We usually have power outages during the winter that can last for a few weeks and although the gasoline costs more money than my electric bill would be it's well worth it to have electricity during the power outage.