Which type of ice is formed by supercooled droplets hitting a surface at very low temperatures?

Prepare for the New Zealand CPL Meteorology Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question offers hints and explanations. Ace your exam!

Rime ice is formed when supercooled water droplets collide with a surface that is below freezing. This process occurs particularly in conditions where there's a low temperature and moist air, which leads to the droplets remaining in a liquid state despite being below the freezing point. Upon impact with the cold surface, these droplets instantly freeze, creating a white, opaque form of ice.

Unlike clear ice, which forms by freezing water in a more uniform and controlled manner, rime ice has a more irregular structure because of the rapid freezing that occurs upon contact. This process of formation makes rime ice distinct, as it typically accumulates on windward sides of objects in cold, moist air conditions.

The other types of ice mentioned do not involve this specific mechanism of formation. Hoar frost forms on surfaces when water vapor sublimates and deposits as ice without the intervention of liquid water. Clear ice forms through slower freezing processes that produce transparent ice layers, whereas freezing rain occurs when raindrops freeze upon contact with cold surfaces but do not involve supercooled droplets in the same manner as rime ice. This makes rime ice the correct choice for the question posed.

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