From time to time we hear the weather forecast for 1-2 days ahead. In this regard, in winter, we sometimes have to deal with such concepts as “icy ice” and “sleet”. Have you ever wondered what ice and sleet are? Many people believe that they are one and the same. Not! These are two completely different concepts! Do you know how to behave during icy and icy conditions, so as not to slip and not get serious injuries? Let's dot all the "and" and figure out what's what here.
What is ice?
The definition of this concept can be considered from both scientific and philistine points of view. From a scientific point of view, ice is the deposition of ice on certain open surfaces. This happens mainly from the windward side and by freezing drops of supercooled precipitation, for example, rain andexclusively at low air temperatures.
In simpler terms, ice is the formation of ice on trees, wires and the ground, directly related to the freezing of rain that has fallen on a cold surface at a negative air temperature. That's what ice is!
At what temperatures does ice appear?
In principle, this is a fairly common occurrence in winter. It is observed at air temperatures from 0 to -12 degrees Celsius and at plus values: from 0 to +3 degrees Celsius.
How often does it happen?
So, what is ice, we figured it out. But what is the frequency of its occurrence? As mentioned above, it occurs during the cold half of the year and, as a rule, with the removal of warm, moist air from the Mediterranean Sea or the Atlantic.
Forecasters note that about once every 10 years ice is quite intense and prolonged, covering the entire region. According to the Russian Hydrometeorological Center, the last time this phenomenon reached the scale of a natural disaster and occurred in 2010.
Ice pattern
The thickness of the frozen ice, as a rule, does not have any gigantic dimensions. Usually it fluctuates within 1 centimeter and slightly higher. But if this thickness exceeds the aforementioned level, then this can lead to serious consequences. Here are some of them:
- breaks in power lines;
- ice crust on cars;
- mass tree fall;
- automobilecrash;
- traumatizing people.
Icing in winter usually grows during the entire time when supercooled precipitation falls on the earth from space. Ice deposited on the ground, trees, cars, roofs of houses can remain for many days. Its growth usually lasts no more than an hour, but the destruction occurs rather slowly and is almost always due to the evaporation of ice.
Ice ice
What is sleet? This is the most common ice that occurs on the earth's surface (on roads, roofs of houses) as a result of freezing of water after a thaw or rain during a sudden drop in air temperature (cooling). The second name for this natural phenomenon is “slippery road.”
In a word, sleet is formed by melting snow (or ice) during a sharp warming. This phenomenon occurs quite often when the air temperature fluctuates around 0 degrees Celsius. That's what ice is!
The difference between ice and sleet
As noted above, both of these concepts have nothing in common with each other, but they are equally dangerous for humans. With these natural phenomena, there is a rather serious threat to the life and he alth of people, especially motorists.
Once again, we note the difference between them: ice is the fallout of supercooled precipitation, and black ice is frozen water that has already covered the ground, for example,came from its surface or from other sources, formed as a result of a short-term thaw. In addition, ice is a rare occurrence compared to black ice.
Ice and icy rules to follow
You need to listen carefully to the weather forecast. If the forecasters are reporting ice or black ice, you need to act.
- The best way to keep your balance without falling on the ice and getting injured is to use shoes with metal heels or ribbed soles. Dry soles can be covered with electrical tape or medical adhesive tape.
- Move along the street in such a period you need to be very careful and, most importantly, not in a hurry! Step fully on the entire sole. Your hands should be free at this time, and your legs should be slightly relaxed. Senior citizens should “arm themselves” with a cane with a rubber tip while moving on the ice.
- If you do slip, try to keep your balance by balancing with your hands. It is reminiscent of a kind of dancing on ice.
- There is another option for the development of the situation if you slip: you can sit down, thereby reducing the height of the fall. If you do fall, brace yourself and try to roll the moment you hit the ice. This should soften the blow. These are the tricks used by stuntmen on set.
- If you have been seriously injured (hit your head, cut your eyebrow, broken your arm) or bruised, then by all means go to the nearest trauma center.
- It should be remembered that ice is often accompanied by icing of power lines, so pay special attention to them, as well as to the wires of contact networks. The fact is that broken bare wires can be under your feet.
- Dear motorists! During any icy conditions, please refrain from using your transport if possible! This will allow you to protect yourself, your vehicles and pedestrians.
