[News Terms] 'Eoneun Bi' Forecasted to Fall This Weekend

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] 'Freezing rain' is rain that falls when the surface temperature is below freezing point. It is also called 'bi-eoreum' or 'glaze ice rain.' Unlike sleet or hail, it falls as supercooled liquid and freezes immediately upon touching the subzero ground.

Freezing rain often occurs at warm fronts because warm air rides over a thin layer of cold air with temperatures below freezing. Snow falling from higher altitudes melts into rain when it meets the warm air layer below. When this rain descends near the surface and encounters the subzero air layer, it becomes supercooled and freezes instantly upon contact with the ground or other objects (such as aircraft).

The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasted the possibility of "freezing rain" falling between early morning and morning on Saturday, the 18th. If you plan to travel by car, be cautious of black ice on the roads. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

If the subzero air layer near the surface is thicker than 1 km, raindrops freeze before reaching the ground, falling as 'ice pellets' instead of snow. In places like the United States, this can develop into an 'ice storm' depending on weather conditions, causing severe damage.

The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasted the possibility of freezing rain from early morning to morning on Saturday the 18th. If you plan to travel by car, be cautious of thin ice on the roads. This causes black ice on roads where ice has not yet formed, leading to vehicle skidding accidents. For aircraft or helicopters, ice accumulation on wings and propeller surfaces can cause serious accidents.

Visible snow can be cleared, but freezing rain freezes immediately upon falling, creating a thin ice layer on roads that greatly increases accident risk. The most dangerous time is known to be between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m. Areas surrounded by mountains where cold air pools in basins, places with little sunlight, bridges on highways with strong winds, and tunnel entrances and exits are classified as hazardous locations.