Sleet reaches the ground as ice pellets; freezing rain reaches it as liquid and freezes on contact. Use the forecast timing, impacts, and local instructions to decide what to postpone and what to check at home.
Winter preparedness guides
Prepare the home, vehicle, communication plan, supplies, safe heating layers, and travel decisions for cold-weather disruptions.
Icicles alone cannot confirm a roof ice dam. Record roof-edge ice and indoor water from safe ground, then hand the observations to a qualified professional.
Inspect vulnerable pipes, learn the water shutoff, use insulation and approved heat cable, follow local drip guidance, thaw safely, and respond to leaks without open flames.
Prepare backup power for winter outages with critical-load priorities, carbon monoxide safety, heat and water fallbacks, cold-weather limits, and drills.