windshield wiper problems

my daughter was driving in the snow today and right in the middle of the storm her wipers stop working( she has a 95 altima) now my husband went to check on them ( she had it parked in a parking garage) and he got the wipers working again.. they seem to drag sometimes but at least they are working.. my husband seems to think that ice got in the wiper unit somehow and is causing a problem ( we have had really snowy icy weather the last 2 days) is this possible or is he grasping at straws

They will stop if the drag is too high. New blades and arms might help. They are supposed to be sealed but could leak I suppose and then freeze which would stop them. I would think that would cause a blown fuse or stripped gear, but I would have to see the circuit first. Some cars have a clutch that slips if the force to move arms it too great.