Plain English Meaning

Water droplets that are still liquid even though they are colder than freezing. They turn to ice the instant they hit something solid, like an aircraft wing.

Full Definition

Describes liquid water that remains in liquid form at temperatures below 0 °C (32 °F), the point at which it would normally freeze. Supercooled water droplets are unstable and will freeze on contact with an aircraft surface, producing structural icing.

Context Anchor

Seen in icing discussions, weather reports, and training about flying in clouds or rain near or below freezing temperatures.

Derivation

From 'super-' (Latin, meaning 'beyond' or 'above') and 'cooled.' Here 'super' does not mean 'great' or 'excellent' — it means 'beyond' the . So 'supercooled' literally means 'cooled beyond' the usual freezing without actually freezing.