I've experienced freezing rain some years back, some of the falling ice destroyed some houses (rooftops). It was a shocking experience because that was the first time I would experience such. You've been able to shed more light with your post. Kudos!

if snow suddenly falls here there will be a lot of chionophobians for a period of time before they get used to its occurrence

You're very right with this, that is one of the reasons I wouldn't like snowfall in Nigeria.