Rain melts snow and ice by introducing warmer temperatures. When rain falls on snow and ice, it brings heat energy with it. This heat energy is transferred to the snow and ice, causing it to melt.
The time it takes for rain to melt snow and ice depends on several factors, including the intensity of the rain, the temperature of the rain, and the amount and type of snow and ice. In general, it can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days for rain to melt snow and ice.
Rain is generally effective at melting most types of snow and ice. However, heavy, wet snow may take longer to melt compared to lighter, drier snow. Additionally, thick ice may take longer to melt compared to thin ice.
In some cases, rain may freeze on top of snow and ice instead of melting it. This is because the rain may be falling at a temperature below freezing, causing it to freeze upon contact with the snow and ice. This process is known as freezing rain.
In most cases, rain is not strong enough to melt all the snow and ice at once. It may take several rounds of rain, or a combination of rain and warmer temperatures, to completely melt all the snow and ice. Additionally, factors such as the amount and type of snow and ice, as well as the temperature of the rain, can affect how quickly it melts.