SUPERSTRUCTURE ICING

Freezing sea spray is by far the most common and dangerous form of icing. It can occur when the air temperature falls below the freezing temperature of seawater (usually about -2C) and sea-surface temperatures are below about 5C. If air temperature falls below about -18C, wind-induced spray may freeze before striking the ship and not adhere. In general, however, the lower the temperature and the stronger the wind, the more rapid the accumulation of ice. Superstructure icing can occur in the cold water seas of both hemispheres, from fall through spring. Moderate icing potential exists when temperatures fall to -2C or below and winds blow at 13kt or more. This means a probable accumulation of up to about 3 in. per hour. The potential for severe icing (greater than 3 in. per hour) exists when temperatures are -9C or lower, and winds are 30 kt or more.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Included in Mariners Weather Log, v18 n1 p1-7 Jan 74, COM-74-90018-01.
• Corporate Authors:

  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

  Environmental Data Service, 330 Whitehaven Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20007
• Authors:
  • DeAngelis, R M
• Publication Date: 1974

Media Info

• Pagination: 8 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Deicing; Deicing chemicals; Ice formations; Icing; Superstructures
• Old TRIS Terms: Icing processes
• Subject Areas: Hydraulics and Hydrology; Maintenance and Preservation; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00057206
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: NOAA-74012309-1
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 16 1974 12:00AM