An Analysis of Freezing Rain, Freezing Drizzle, and Ice Pellets across the United States and Canada: 1976–90

Abstract
A comprehensive analysis of freezing rain, freezing drizzle, and ice pellets was conducted using data from surface observations across the United States and Canada. This study complements other studies of freezing precipitation in the United States and Canada, and provides additional information about the temporal characteristics of the distribution. In particular, it was found that during this period 1) spatial variability in the annual frequency of freezing precipitation and ice pellets is large across the United States and Canada, and these precipitation types occur most frequently across the central and eastern portions of the United States and Canada, much of Alaska, and the northern shores of Canada; 2) freezing precipitation and ice pellets occur most often from December to March, except in northern Canada and Alaska where it occurs during the warm season, as well; 3) freezing rain and freezing drizzle appear to be influenced by the diurnal solar cycle; 4) freezing precipitation is often s... Abstract A comprehensive analysis of freezing rain, freezing drizzle, and ice pellets was conducted using data from surface observations across the United States and Canada. This study complements other studies of freezing precipitation in the United States and Canada, and provides additional information about the temporal characteristics of the distribution. In particular, it was found that during this period 1) spatial variability in the annual frequency of freezing precipitation and ice pellets is large across the United States and Canada, and these precipitation types occur most frequently across the central and eastern portions of the United States and Canada, much of Alaska, and the northern shores of Canada; 2) freezing precipitation and ice pellets occur most often from December to March, except in northern Canada and Alaska where it occurs during the warm season, as well; 3) freezing rain and freezing drizzle appear to be influenced by the diurnal solar cycle; 4) freezing precipitation is often s...