We don't get much in the way of snow down here. What we do get is rain. And when it gets down into the upper 20s, the rain becomes freezing rain. I've always loved the phrase, "freezing rain". The great thing about rain is its motion. And using a verbal to decribe it is pretty cool. Why not frozen rain?
The name denotes continuous activity. The rain is not just falling, it's in the act of freezing. Not yet frozen, but getting there. Maybe it's the math geek appreciation for Limits in me that is fascinated by this. Or my long-held axiom that becoming, rather than being, is what makes Life enjoyable.
Regardless, when the rain that is the act of freezing lands on something with a surface temp at or below freezing, it turns to Ice. This gets to be a problem, as the ice proceeds to coat everything outside. With a sheet up to an inch thick. It snaps tree branches, which in turn snap power lines. It makes the roads impassable. Planes cannot fly. The very threat of it empties grocery stores of thier products.
The lesson is that Freezing Rain is OK. In its becoming stage it is innocuous. But when it's journey is complete, when it stops becoming frozen and starts being frozen, Bad Things can happen.
So don't stop becoming. Else the grocery store will run out of milk.
Posted by danisaacs at December 04, 2002 10:54 AMWhat, praytell, could be construed as "whining"? This, perhaps, but not the topic.
Posted by: Not Dan on December 4, 2002 12:59 PMOh boo-hoo, the 20's!? Bah it was -26c when I started the truck to go to work this morning. We don't get freezing rain, it is well frozen before it gets close to the ground.
Posted by: Bob Roberts on December 4, 2002 02:50 PM