Rime Ice
What is rime ice?
Rime ice is a rough, milky, opaque ice that forms when small supercooled water droplets freeze almost instantly as they strike the aircraft. The rapid freezing traps air pockets, making the ice brittle, porous, and dull white in appearance. It typically builds on leading edges such as wings and struts. Think of it as the "frosty, crumbly" ice—formed by tiny droplets that freeze on contact, unlike clear glaze ice.
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