What defines mixed icing and its temperature range?

Mixed icing is characterized by the presence of both large and small supercooled water droplets in the atmosphere, which can lead to the accumulation of ice on aircraft surfaces. This specific type of icing typically occurs in a temperature range from approximately -8 degrees Celsius to -15 degrees Celsius. Within this range, the conditions are favorable for the co-existence of varied droplet sizes, resulting in the potential for more severe icing than seen in other types.

Large droplets are particularly significant, as they can freeze upon contact with an aircraft, creating quite a hazardous situation. Small droplets alone would not define mixed icing, as this term expressly requires the combination of both droplet sizes. Additionally, temperatures lower than -10 degrees Celsius generally correspond with conditions more suitable for ice crystal formation or clear icing rather than mixed icing.

The temperature and droplet size dynamics are crucial for understanding how icing phenomena will affect aircraft performance and safety. In the context of mixed icing, recognizing that both small and large droplets contribute to icing formation highlights the potential risks associated with this weather phenomenon.