rime

An accumulation of white ice, of irregular texture and variable hardness, on a solid, cold surface exposed to the supercooled water droplets of a freezing fog. This hydrometeor can take on different shapes, such as plumes or ice needles, and can occasionally also be made up, in part, of clear ice. When the aforementioned droplets come into contact with elements on the ground (trees, shrubs, posts, fences...), they freeze immediately. The accumulation of ice gives rise to elongated structures resulting from the superposition of layers and which grow in the direction opposite to that in which the wind is blowing. The resulting landscape takes on an appearance similar to a snow-covered one. The above description corresponds to so-called white rime, as opposed to hard rime, which is abundant in high mountains, where meteorological conditions are more extreme. The strong prevailing winds and low temperatures - down to several degrees below zero - favor the formation of very hard, large ice needles, which can reach several decimeters in length. Depending on the place, rime is also referred to as cencella or cenceñada.