An effect of freezing rain on plants

The effects of freezing rain can be very destructive, taking down big trees and causing traffic accidents. But freezing rain also can sculpt mundane things, such as the weed I have photographed here, into surprising little short-lived works of wonder.

Freezing rain is an exceptional occurrence that occasionally happens in select places around the world. Several factors must come together just right to cause freezing rain.

Probably the most important ingredient is an existing frozen ground with a shallow cold air mass near the surface with temperatures at or slightly below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Along with this, a moisture-laden warm air mass needs to come in place above the the cold air near the earth surface.

Precipitation will develop as ice crystals or snow in clouds above the warm air mass. As the crystals grow and gain weight, they begin to fall. As they pass through the warm layer of air they melt and turn into raindrops. If the layer of cold air nearest the earth is deep enough and cold enough, the raindrops will refreeze becoming ice pellets and sleet will hit the ground. But when the cold air layer near the ground is shallow the raindrops will not have time to refreeze in the air. Rain will fall and then turn into ice on everything it touches.

Through the Woods is a weekly nature photo column by Aaron Horrell. Find this column at semissourian.com to order a reprint of the photo. Find more work by Horrell at The Painted Wren Gallery.