Final answer:
Hydroplaning is most likely to occur during a heavy rainstorm because it causes water to build up between the tires and the road surface, leading to loss of traction and possible loss of vehicle control.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hydroplaning is most likely to occur d. in a heavy rainstorm. This is because hydroplaning, also known as aquaplaning, happens when a layer of water builds up between the tires of a vehicle and the road surface, leading to a loss of traction that prevents the vehicle from responding to control inputs. It's a dangerous condition that can result in a skid. When a heavy rainstorm occurs, the amount of water on the roadway can easily exceed a tire’s capacity to disperse it, increasing the likelihood of hydroplaning. Factors such as vehicle speed, tire tread depth, and tire pressure also influence the risk of hydroplaning. Hydroplaning is most likely to occur in d. a heavy rainstorm because heavy rain can create a layer of water on the road surface that prevents the tires from maintaining contact with the road. This leads to the loss of traction and control over the vehicle, causing the driver to hydroplane.