freezing rain
noun
: rain that freezes upon contact with a surface (such as the ground)
But to Healy's surprise, a glaze of freezing rain began to appear on the windshield.—
Jon Vara
Jon VaraThis also explains why the stuff we call freezing rain … falls as a liquid but then turns to a sheet of ice when it strikes the pavement or a tree branch.—Frederick K. Lutgens et al.
compare hail entry 1, sleet entry 1, snow entry 1
Frederick K. Lutgens et al.
Examples of freezing rain in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This could happen if extremely cold temperatures, freezing rain or ice are present, all of which could damage the siren system.
—Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 3 Apr. 2024
Dense fog advisory covers much of Midwest, South Conditions from a dense fog that descended over the Midwest on Wednesday as some areas braced for freezing rain will continue through Thursday.
—Anthony Robledo, The Courier-Journal, 25 Jan. 2024
The National Weather Service has issued winter weather advisories for portions east-central, north-central and northeast Kansas as well as west-central, north-central, northeast and northwest Missouri, saying freezing rain could make travel difficult, with untreated roads becoming slick.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 22 Jan. 2024
About a tenth of an inch of freezing rain is expected, according to the National Weather Service, which issued a winter weather advisory for southeast Michigan starting at about 7 p.m. and lasting through Tuesday.
—Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 22 Jan. 2024
Icy roads and freezing rain are making for a treacherous commute Tuesday morning.
—Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 23 Feb. 2024
Disruptions to the jet stream riding over the top of this combination of mild and cold air can produce a zone of freezing rain that can stretch hundreds of miles from west to east.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2024
The Pacific Northwest in general was bracing for freezing rain and ice, but western Oregon was expecting the worst of it as the state's three largest cities − Portland, Salem and Eugene – were forecast to get up to half an inch of ice through early Wednesday before a reprieve later in the day.
—John Bacon, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024
Yes, expect precipitation on the commute home Monday as freezing rain creeps into the area, according to NWS.
—Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 22 Jan. 2024
Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 3 Apr. 2024
Dense fog advisory covers much of Midwest, South Conditions from a dense fog that descended over the Midwest on Wednesday as some areas braced for freezing rain will continue through Thursday.
—Anthony Robledo, The Courier-Journal, 25 Jan. 2024
The National Weather Service has issued winter weather advisories for portions east-central, north-central and northeast Kansas as well as west-central, north-central, northeast and northwest Missouri, saying freezing rain could make travel difficult, with untreated roads becoming slick.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 22 Jan. 2024
About a tenth of an inch of freezing rain is expected, according to the National Weather Service, which issued a winter weather advisory for southeast Michigan starting at about 7 p.m. and lasting through Tuesday.
—Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 22 Jan. 2024
Icy roads and freezing rain are making for a treacherous commute Tuesday morning.
—Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 23 Feb. 2024
Disruptions to the jet stream riding over the top of this combination of mild and cold air can produce a zone of freezing rain that can stretch hundreds of miles from west to east.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2024
The Pacific Northwest in general was bracing for freezing rain and ice, but western Oregon was expecting the worst of it as the state's three largest cities − Portland, Salem and Eugene – were forecast to get up to half an inch of ice through early Wednesday before a reprieve later in the day.
—John Bacon, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024
Yes, expect precipitation on the commute home Monday as freezing rain creeps into the area, according to NWS.
—Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 22 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'freezing rain.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1672, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near freezing rain
Cite this Entry
“Freezing rain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freezing%20rain. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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