An
ice storm is a type of
winter storm characterized by
freezing rain, also known as a
glaze event or, in some parts of the United States, as a
silver thaw. The U.S. National Weather Service defines an ice storm as a storm which results in the accumulation of at least of ice on exposed surfaces. From 1982 to 1994, ice storms were more common than
blizzards and averaged 16 per year. They are not violent storms, but instead commonly perceived as gentle rains occurring at temperatures just below freezing. For this reason people may be unaware of the danger if it happens overnight.