CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Frost is simply ice. It forms when water vapor in the air skips the liquid stage and goes straight to ice on a surface. This process is called deposition, and it’s why frost can appear even when the air temperature a few feet above the ground is slightly above freezing .

Depending on wind, humidity, cloud cover and terrain, frost can appear in several distinct forms.

Let’s break down the big five:

A feathery, glittering layer of ice that forms on calm, clear nights. Moisture in the air deposits directly onto cold surfaces as delicate crystals.

Rime ice forms when supercooled fog droplets freeze on contact. It’s rough, opaque and often seen at higher elevations or during freezing fog events.

Black frost forms when the air is so dry and cold that plant tissue freezes i

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