Forensic Meteorologist Comments on Ice Formation in Slip and Fall

Case Overview

This case takes place in Pennsylvania and involves a man who slipped on a sheet of ice and broke his wrist while on her commute. The average temperature the day prior well below freezing. The man was walking on the sidewalk, which was free of snow and ice, until he encountered a sheet of ice that blocked his path. The man observed water flowing from a fire hydrant and down the driveway of an apartment complex to the area where the sheet of ice was situated. He walked onto the street to avoid the ice, but upon encountering a mound of snow at the intersection, he was forced to cross the path of the flowing water. As a result, he slipped, fell, and broke his wrist. A forensic science expert in meteorology was retained to determine how much time would be needed to have elapsed for the sheet to form, based on the weather conditions.

Questions to the Agriculture expert and their responses

Are you an expert in climatology/meteorology/weather? Please explain your qualifications.

I have been qualified as an expert in meteorology in dozens of court appearances across the United States over the past 30 years. I have a Bachelors, Masters and PhD degree in meteorology, and was a weather observer and forecaster in the Pennsylvania and Massachusetts Air National Guard. In addition, I have presented weather forecasts on radio and television across the country for the past 40 years.

Do you frequently study winter weather and icy conditions and can you explain the properties of water and ice?

I have authored hundreds of reports documenting weather conditions involved in slip and fall cases over the past 35 years.

With relevant data, can you determine how long a flowing stream of water would take to form as ice?

It is possible to make an estimate of the time it would take a flowing stream of water to freeze. That would certainly depend on the current air temperature, but also the wind direction and relative humidity at the time in question. In addition, the conditions during the preceding days are important in order to determine the temperature of the surface over which the water is flowing. The temperature of the water, the slope and composition of the surface are also important factors.

About the expert

This highly qualified meteorologist has 30+ years of experience as an atmospheric scientist. He earned his BS at the University of Michigan and MS and PhD in Meteorology at Pennsylvania State University. Formerly, he has served as a meteorologist with the NY Weather Bureau Regional Headquarters and as a Captain/Weather forecaster with the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. This expert has received several awards throughout his career and is a member of several professional organizations including the American Meteorological Society. He has authored a number of publications in industry journals and is a frequently invited guest speaker at major meteorology conferences. This expert qualifies as an expert witness in several state courts and has extensive deposition and trial experience. Currently this expert is a Senior Vice President and Senior Meteorologist at a weather risk management consultancy.

E-017526

Specialties:

Agriculture