Enroute Icing

### Produced by The COMET® Program

### Step 1: Diagnosing Locations of Icing » Introduction

Without observational data and NWP analyses, aviation forecasters would be flying blind! NWP analyses fill in gaps between observations, which are often hundreds of miles apart. Observations, in turn, are used to validate NWP analyses and provide confidence in the NWP guidance used to produce the final icing forecast.

In this first step, you will use observational data and NWP analyses to determine areas and levels of icing across your forecast area. Then you’ll make a “first forecast” of icing, including severity. This first forecast is a short-term forecast based on current conditions.

On the next pages, you’ll explore the data, looking for any icing threats. Then you will consolidate your findings and make the first forecast.