How does light rime icing typically form?

Light rime icing typically forms in cloud layers at certain temperatures. This type of icing occurs when supercooled water droplets are present within clouds, which is more common in specific atmospheric conditions where temperatures are below freezing but warm enough for clouds to contain liquid water. When these supercooled droplets come into contact with surfaces of an aircraft, they freeze upon impact, resulting in light rime ice.

The characteristics of the cloud, combined with the temperature conditions, are essential for the formation of light rime icing. Understanding this helps pilots recognize and mitigate the risks associated with flying through such conditions.

Other options do not accurately describe the conditions for light rime icing: low altitudes can experience icing but are not the defining factor, freezing rain involves different conditions and tends to create glaze ice rather than rime, and clear air conditions generally do not support ice formation as there are usually no clouds or supercooled droplets present.