What is the characteristic of rime icing?

Rime icing is characterized by its creamy and rough appearance, which occurs when supercooled droplets of water freeze upon impact with a surface. This process causes the ice to form rapidly, creating a layer that is generally opaque and can take on a textured look due to the abrupt freezing of water droplets, leading to the formation of tiny ice protrusions.

In contrast, options that suggest other characteristics do not align with what defines rime icing. For instance, while some icing can be soft and slippery, that description aligns more closely with other forms of ice, such as glaze icing, which tends to be smooth and clear. The notion that rime icing develops specifically in freezing rain is misleading, as freezing rain typically results in glaze icing rather than rime. Lastly, the formation of rime icing is not limited to temperatures below -10°C; it can occur at slightly higher temperatures under conditions of high humidity and wind, making the statement regarding specific temperature thresholds inaccurate.