Clear ice is most likely to form at what temperatures?

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Clear ice, also known as "glaze ice," forms primarily when supercooled water droplets freeze upon contact with an aircraft surface. This condition typically occurs at temperatures just below freezing, specifically between 0°C and -10°C. At these temperatures, the atmospheric conditions are conducive to the existence of supercooled water droplets that can create a smooth and dense layer of ice when they freeze upon impact.

The formation of clear ice is significantly influenced by the size of the water droplets present in the supercooled environment; larger droplets tend to freeze more readily on contact. When temperatures rise above 0°C, it's more likely that precipitation will fall as rain rather than the supercooled conditions needed for clear ice formation. Once temperatures drop below -10°C, the conditions shift more towards the formation of rime ice, which is rough and generally occurs when smaller droplets freeze quickly and create a frosty appearance.

Overall, the temperature range of 0°C to -10°C is critical as it is specifically where conditions align for clear ice development, making it the correct answer to the question.

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