| Term: | Icicle |
| Definition: |
Hanging spike of clear ice formed by the freezing of dripping water. NSIDCCryosphere
Ice in the shape of a narrow cone, hanging point downward from a roof, fence, cliffside, etc. An icicle is formed when above-freezing water, for example, snowmelt or groundwater, runs or drips into subfreezing air. The water freezes as it drips or runs, forming a narrow cone pointed downward and growing in both length and width, widest at its top. Most icicles are found hanging from the edges of heated, snow-topped roofs, with any water that has not frozen in its downward traverse forming ice on the surfaces below. AMSglossary Hanging spike of clear ice formed by the freezing of dripping water. SPRI GCW |