Description:

The correct answer is:

Rain that freezes on impact

Silver thaw (also known as freezing rain) occurs when raindrops fall through a layer of sub-freezing air near the ground and freeze upon contact with cold surfaces, creating a glaze of ice. This can coat trees, power lines, and roads in a shimmering (or "silver") layer of ice, hence the name.

Windy – Not directly related to silver thaw, though strong winds can worsen the effects by causing ice-laden branches or power lines to break.

Blizzard – Involves heavy snow and strong winds, not freezing rain.

So, the primary cause of silver thaw is supercooled rain freezing on impact.