freezing level
Zero-degree height marker
The freezing level is the altitude in the atmosphere where the temperature drops to 0°C (32°F).
Above this point, precipitation falls as snow or ice rather than rain.
Pilots, meteorologists, and mountaineers track the freezing level because it determines where ice forms on aircraft, where snow begins, and what conditions climbers will face: The freezing level dropped to 5,000 feet overnight.
Sweet cake covering
- deicingRemoving frozen accumulation
- anti-icePrevents ice accumulation
- airframeAircraft's structural body
- flight planningPre-departure navigation work
Partly frozen precipitation
- ice pelletsSmall frozen precipitation spheres
- mixed precipitationMultiple falling water forms
- winter stormSevere cold-season weather
- ice stormFreezing rain accumulation
accumulation zone · snowpack · watershed · runoff · hydrological · graupel · wet snow · dry snow
Measured height above reference
- isothermConstant-temperature boundary line
- radiosondeBalloon-borne meteorological telemetry device
- soundingDepth measurement technique
- inversionReversal of position
troposphere · weather balloon · forecast model · synoptic · weather radar
Recurring annual fluctuation pattern
- latitudeGeographic or personal freedom
- polarOf extreme latitudes
- temperateMild, avoiding extremes
- tropicalOf hot, humid regions
climate zone · global warming · climate change · mountain climate · maritime · continental · arctic · anomaly
Slow-moving ice mass
- snow lineAltitude of permanent frost
- summitPeak or diplomatic gathering
- alpinismHigh-altitude peak climbing
- expeditionOrganized exploratory journey
crevasse · icefall · serac · cornice · acclimatization · base camp · high camp · route planning
icing
Sweet cake covering
- deicingRemoving frozen accumulation
- anti-icePrevents ice accumulation
- airframeAircraft's structural body
flight planning · cloud base · cumulonimbus · clear ice · supercooled
sleet
Partly frozen precipitation
- ice pelletsSmall frozen precipitation spheres
- mixed precipitationMultiple falling water forms
- winter stormSevere cold-season weather
ice storm · accumulation zone · snowpack · watershed · runoff · hydrological · graupel · wet snow · dry snow · transition zone
altitude
Measured height above reference
- isothermConstant-temperature boundary line
- radiosondeBalloon-borne meteorological telemetry device
- soundingDepth measurement technique
inversion · troposphere · weather balloon · forecast model · synoptic · weather radar
seasonal variation
Recurring annual fluctuation pattern
tropical · climate zone · global warming · climate change · mountain climate · maritime · continental · arctic · anomaly · cryosphere
glacier
Slow-moving ice mass
- snow lineAltitude of permanent frost
- summitPeak or diplomatic gathering
- alpinismHigh-altitude peak climbing
expedition · crevasse · icefall · serac · cornice · acclimatization · base camp · high camp · route planning · weather window
- meteorologyweather, rain, wind, snow, clouds
- Aviation Weathervisibility, ceiling, cloud ceiling, ceiling height, turbulence
- atmosphereair, humidity, atmosphere, temperature, oxygen