As an aircraft ascends through this layer, the supercooled water droplets flow over the airframe, and the immediate freezing upon impact leads to rapid ice accretion. Outside of this temperature window, particularly at temperatures below -20°C, the droplets are more likely to be ice crystals, which pose a much smaller risk of immediate structural accumulation.
Red Flags Icing Before Accumulation: Recognizing Supercooled Droplet Signs
Operational Contexts That Increase Risk While temperature and cloud type provide the physical basis for icing, the operational context of a flight determines the pilot's exposure to these conditions. Modern Mitigation Strategies and Procedural Safeguards.
Icing is most likely to occur during the climb and cruise phases when the aircraft is at high altitudes where cloud layers are prevalent. The presence of flat, elongated, or irregular cloud formations, especially when the cloud tops are high and turbulent, is a primary visual indicator.
Red Flags Icing Before Accumulation: Recognizing Supercooled Droplet Signs
The critical factor that triggers the immediate danger is when these supercooled droplets impact the airframe and instantly freeze upon contact. This process is distinct from frost formation, which requires clear skies and calm winds on the ground, whereas in-flight icing requires visible moisture and specific temperature ranges.
More About When does icing occur aviation
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