The microphysical properties and processes in in-flight icing: A case study

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2025.108326
2025-06-27
Atmospheric Research
Min Yuan , An Lv , Weijia Wang , Xiaobo Dong , Fan Ping
Supercooled liquid water (SLW) serves as a critical medium for cloud seeding in weather modification operations, yet it presents a paradoxical threat to aviation safety by posing the risk of in-flight icing. This study investigates SLW conditions in the Sichuan Basin during winter, comparing them with those in North America using in situ aircraft measurement data from two in-flight icing events encountered during weather modification field experiments. The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model is employed to evaluate its capability in predicting macro- and micro-environmental conditions conducive to icing weather, with a particular focus on hydrometeor properties and microphysical processes that significantly influence the formation and depletion of SLW. Distinct mechanisms are observed across different cloud systems, underscoring the complexity of these processes. These findings underscore the necessity for further investigation into microphysical processes and their dependence on both macro- and micro-environmental conditions to improve the prediction and understanding of SLW.
关键词
  • In-flight icing
  • The Sichuan Basin
  • SLW conditions
  • Microphysical processes
  • Cloud systems