'Air frost' occurs when the
temperature of
air falls below the
freezing point of water (0
°C, -32
°F, 273,15
K). This is usually measured at the height of 1,2 m.
There is a rather subjective scale to show several degrees of air frost severity:
★ slight air frost: 0 °C to -3.5 °C
★ moderate air frost: -3.6 °C to -6.5 °C
★ severe air frost: -6.6 °C to -11.5 °C
★ very severe air frost: below -11.6 °C
Air frost is not necessary to get ground frost or hoar frost; they can form even if air temperature is above freezing point if the surfaces have been chilled by heat emission during a cold night.
Air frost, frost and hoar frost
In
English language, these terms are sometimes used in a confusing way. For example, "frost" is used sometimes to indicate
ice which forms on ground during cold nights but other times to indicate air temperature below freezing point which should be called "air frost". "Hoar frost" should indicate big ice crystals forming on very cold surfaces, but it is sometimes used for every frosted surfaces.
See also
★
Frost
★
Rime (frost)
External links
★
BBC Understanding Weather - Frost