Though there is a common misunderstanding between sleet and freezing rain, there is an easy phrase to remember the difference. “Sleet pings (and stings) while freezing rain clings.” Sleet bounces off objects while freezing rain instantly freezes on contact with an object.

Parts of Indiana were hit with thunderstorms and hail on Wednesday, February 5, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).Footage taken by Paul Andrew in Lebanon, Indiana, shows the icy storm and lightning that hit the city on Wednesday night.

Of all the precipitation types, freezing rain is by most measures the worst because it can weigh heavily on trees and power lines.

Starting with an ice and snow storm Thursday, a series of winter systems is forecast to slam parts of the Midwest, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic with dangerous travel conditions through the middle of next week,