Though rain is more commonly associated with fall and summer storms, large and complex Winter storms often contain a mixture of elements. Depending on where you are in relation to the storm, you may receive rain, freezing rain, or snow. Sometimes you can receive all three from one storm and occasionally one or two types of precipitation may fall at the same time. This can complicate not only the forecast, but how likely it is for travelers to get through the storm! Freezing rain will occur when the air aloft is warm enough for snow to melt into rain as it falls towards the surface. Once it hits the surface which needs to be below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, it will freeze on contact. Since ice is less dense than water, a half an inch of rain that freezes on contact, will actually lead to more than a half an inch of ice on the ground. Freezing rain is extremely dangerous to travelers since it coats roadways with ice. This reduces the friction or "grabbing ability" that tires normally need to keep a car attached to the road. When you drive on ice, you are no longer on the road!