What is mixed ice?

• A. A mixture of clear ice and rime ice.
• B. Only clear ice.
• C. Only rime ice.
• D. Ice formed from hoarfrost.

Answer: (A)

Mixed ice is a coating that contains both clear ice and rime ice on a surface. This happens when icing conditions include a mix of droplet sizes or changing temperatures, so some droplets freeze slowly to form clear, glossy ice while others freeze quickly to form rough, opaque rime ice. The result is patches or layers that combine both appearances: transparent areas alongside milky, rough areas. This irregular ice can be more challenging to manage than a single type because it disrupts airflow differently and can be heavier. Hoarfrost is not mixed ice—it forms by deposition of water vapor directly on the surface, not by freezing supercooled liquid droplets.