So I blew out my rear tire the other day, and since the weather has been getting progressively wetter, I decided to get a new tire w/ some tread in lieu of another slick. So my question is, where will the treaded tire work most effectively? In the front or rear? I'm not buying a full set because I'm only riding this bike while I'm home, away from college. Thanks.

Bal

According to Sheldon Brown, demi-god of cycling mechanics, neither, if you are riding a roadie.
https://sheldonbrown.com/tires.html#tread

It won't matter - bicycle tires don't hydroplane - the contact patch is narrow enough (and the tire holds enough pressure) so that it's not a problem.

If the old tire was on the back, leave it there. I wouldn't want a worn down, squared-off tire in the front of my bike!

JB

Thanks. I'm not so much as concerned w/ hydroplaning as I am with sliding out when I'm cornering. Should I just go back and get a tire to match the front one?

slicks work great on pavement even in sloppy weather.
Now if you hit some muddy/dusty/gravel sections, then treads might help.

Usually you want the good tire on the front because the constant steering adjustments are what keeps you upright. If you can't steer, you will go down. If you blow a rear, you can still control the bike to a stop.

You can just put the new tire on the front, and move the old front to the rear.
Front tire wear is about 33% of the rear.