Freezing rain occurs when precipitation in the form of rain passes from a warm air mass into a relative cold air mass with what condition?

• A. Air temperature below 0°C
• B. An air temperature above 0°C
• C. Air humidity above 90%
• D. No ice particles present

Answer: (A)

Freezing rain happens when rain forms in a warm layer but then falls into a shallow layer of air that is below freezing near the surface. The key condition is that the cold air layer is at or below 0°C. In this subfreezing air, raindrops stay liquid as they fall, but they freeze instantly upon touching surfaces that are also at or below freezing, creating a glaze of ice. Humidity level or the presence of ice particles aren’t the defining factors here.