Icing Example 2

Hypothetical sounding for icing in stratus clouds

Consider this sounding to assess the potential for icing. (To assist with this question and others that follow, you can open the interactive skew-T with this sounding).

In what layer would you expect clouds?
(Choose the best answer.)
a) 250-450
b) 450-550
c) 550-700
d) 700-800
e) 800-1000

That is incorrect.
Clouds will only occur where the dewpoint depression is small.
The correct answer is c). Clouds would be expected in the 550-700 hPa layer, where dewpoint depressions are 1°C or less.

What type of cloud would you expect?
(Choose the best answer.)
a) Cirrus
b) Cumulus
c) Lenticular
d) Stratiform
That is incorrect.
The atmosphere is stable in the cloud layer.
The correct answer is d) Stratiform clouds.
The sounding slope is less than moist adiabatic, indicating stable conditions favoring layered, stratiform clouds.
Previous       Next