Freezing Rain

Freezing Rain is rain that falls as liquid but is supercooled below 0°C. It freezes on contact with aircraft surfaces, creating a smooth, clear layer of ice that accumulates rapidly. Freezing rain produces the most severe form of aircraft icing and can overwhelm deicing systems.

• Accumulation rate far exceeds that of rime or mixed icing
• Can double an aircraft's drag and significantly increase weight in minutes
• Typically found in temperature inversion zones between warm and cold air masses
• Immediate action: exit the freezing rain layer by climbing into warm air or descending below the freezing level