In which conditions are dangerous icing conditions typically found?

Dangerous icing conditions are typically found in dense clouds that contain large, supercooled water droplets. When aircraft fly through these clouds, the temperature may be below freezing, but the water droplets remain in a liquid state. Upon contact with aircraft surfaces, these supercooled droplets can freeze immediately, forming ice. This ice can build up on various parts of the aircraft, which can lead to serious aerodynamic and control issues, weight increases, and engine performance reduction.

The presence of large droplet sizes in dense cloud formations rather than lighter rain or thin clouds is crucial because larger droplets have a higher tendency to freeze upon contact with object surfaces, making these conditions particularly hazardous for flying. Other atmospheric conditions mentioned do not typically lead to the same level of icing risk. For instance, clear skies, even with low temperatures, usually do not contribute to icing since there are no liquid water droplets present.