Which situation would most likely result in freezing precipitation?

The situation that would most likely result in freezing precipitation occurs when rain falls from air that is warmer than 32°F into a layer of air that has a temperature of 32°F or less. In this scenario, the raindrops, which are initially liquid, encounter colder air as they descend. If the temperature of this colder air is at or below freezing, the raindrops can become supercooled—remaining in liquid form despite being below freezing. If these supercooled droplets come into contact with surfaces that are also below freezing, they can freeze upon impact, forming ice which leads to freezing rain.

This process is key in producing freezing rain, as the raindrops don’t have time to freeze into ice pellets before hitting the ground; instead, they freeze on contact with cold surfaces, causing various hazards such as icy roads and power lines. The conditions outlined in the other choices do not create the necessary dynamics for freezing precipitation.