Discussion on Sounding 7 - Freezing Drizzle

This case falls into the category of no ice activation below -12C to -15C. Temperatures in the surface-based cloud layer only get down to -9C...which is not cold enough to produce ice. Having the surface at a temperature of <32F...freezing precipitation results.

Rain or drizzle?

Since the cloud never has ice, freezing drizzle and growth of droplets of water by collision-coalesence is likely. This is the warm cloud growth process and will likely produce drizzle. The inversion also favors drizzle, limiting vertical motion.


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