The most rapid accumulation of clear ice on an aircraft in flight may occur with temperatures between 0°C to -15°C in which type of clouds?

The rapid accumulation of clear ice on an aircraft typically occurs in conditions associated with supercooled liquid water droplets, which are most prevalent in certain types of clouds. Cumuliform clouds, especially cumulonimbus, are characterized by vertical development and a turbulent environment, creating optimal conditions for the presence of supercooled water droplets. These clouds often extend through a range of temperatures, including the critical range of 0°C to -15°C, where clear icing conditions are most likely.

The mechanisms at play in cumuliform clouds allow for the lifting of moist air, which can then cool and condense, forming supercooled droplets that can freeze upon contact with the aircraft surfaces. This results in a rapid and severe accumulation of clear ice, which is particularly dangerous due to its heavy and clear nature, making it difficult to detect visually.

While stratiform clouds can also produce icing, they tend to have a more stable environment with less vertical development compared to cumuliform clouds, leading to slower icing rates. Cirriform clouds are typically too high and lack the necessary moisture content to lead to significant icing. Nimbostratus clouds can produce light icing due to their continuous, steady precipitation but do not generally result in the rapid accumulation that occurs in the more dynamic