frozen fog deposit

meteorology

Also known as: frost feather

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Last updated

June 26, 2026

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Rime, also known as "frozen fog deposits" or "frost feathers," is a meteorological phenomenon characterized by a white, opaque, granular deposit of ice crystals. It forms when supercooled water droplets in fog come into contact with a surface that is below freezing temperatures. These tiny droplets freeze almost instantly upon contact. Rime is commonly found on the windward, upper slopes of mountains enveloped in supercooled clouds. The deposits are typically long plumes of ice oriented into the wind. Due to the rapid freezing of individual droplets, rime has poor cohesion between ice particles, making it fragile and easily shattered.1

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rime
…the wind and are called “frozen fog deposits,” or “frost feathers.” Rime is composed of small ice particles with air pockets between them; this structure causes its typical white appearance and granular structure. Because of the rapid freezing of each individual supercooled droplet, there is relatively poor cohesion between the…
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…the wind and are called “frozen fog deposits,” or “frost feathers.” Rime is composed of small ice particles with air pockets between them; this structure causes its typical white appearance and granular structure. Because of the rapid freezing of each individual supercooled droplet, there is relatively poor cohesion between the…
Read More