Forecaster Considerations

revised April 2, 2004; reviewed April 2, 2004

Superstructure ice accretion depends on sea temperature, air temperature, wind speed, and the freezing point of sea water. For any ice accretion to take place the air temperature must be below freezing. Once the air temperature reaches freezing then the sea temperature and wind speed become important. The lower the sea surface temperature the easier it is for ice accretion to occur and the faster it will occur. The faster the wind speed the faster ice will accumulate, particularly if the vessel is moving into the wind. Ice accretion will take place less readily if the vessel is moving downwind.

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