Guide

Look closerWeather

Glaze ice: what freezing rain does to twigs and wires

November to March

After freezing rain, every twig, bud and wire can wear a coat of ice. Rain that freezes the moment it touches a cold surface builds this glaze.

Why this time of year

A freezing rain event has just happened or is forecast.

How to notice it

  1. Look from a window or a cleared, dry spot at a thin twig and see whether it is sealed in ice.
  2. Look at the tips of branches and any wires: see how the ice has coated them.
  3. Compare with any ice pellets on the ground: sleet bounces when it lands, while freezing rain stays on what it hits.
  4. Keep your distance from trees and wires and enjoy the glitter from afar.

Try this with kids: Can you see the shape of the twig through the ice? Which side of it has the thickest coat?

Word to know: “Glaze” is the layer of ice that freezing rain leaves on surfaces.

Safety

  • Any amount of freezing rain can make pavement and walkways dangerously slippery.
  • Ice can bring down tree limbs and power lines, so stay out from under iced trees.
  • Treat every downed line as live: stay at least 30 feet away and call 911 or the utility.

Sources

  • weather.govNWS Northern Indiana (primary): sleet drops 'bounce on impact'; freezing rain freezes on contact with surfaces at or below 32F. Page's wording on freezing rain formation is a bit garbled; use only for bounce and freeze-on-contact.
  • weather.govNWS (primary): freezing rain is 'Rain that freezes when it hits the ground; creating a coating of ice on roads, walkways, trees and power lines.' Ice storm warning around 1/4 inch.
  • weather.govNWS Boston/Norton (primary): 'winter weather is a part of life from November through March'; any freezing rain on roads dangerous; over one-half inch of ice can knock down power lines.
  • weather.govNWS Sterling (primary): 'With freezing rain, any amount is dangerous.' Falling trees and power lines under ice weight can fall into homes or on people.
  • nationalgridus.comNational Grid Massachusetts (the utility's own safety page): 'Always assume power lines are live'; stay at least 30 feet away; report to 9-1-1 or National Grid.
  • forecast.weather.govNWS glossary: glaze is 'Ice formed by freezing precipitation covering the ground or exposed objects.'

Checked against these sources on October 13, 2026.

In the guide for November, December, January, February, March

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