How is moderate icing characterized in convective cloud?

Moderate icing in convective clouds is characterized predominantly as a clear type with less pronounced horizontal extent. In the context of meteorology, convective clouds such as cumulonimbus can produce ice in the form of supercooled water droplets, which typically result in clear icing. This occurs because the droplets do not freeze immediately upon contact, leading to a smooth accumulation of ice on aircraft surfaces.

The term "less pronounced in horizontal extent" indicates that while icing conditions are present, they may not affect a wide area but can still pose significant risk within localized regions of the cloud. Pilots need to be aware of these conditions since the severity of icing can vary widely even over short distances, making it critical to assess cloud characteristics effectively during flight.

Understanding this helps pilots make informed decisions regarding flight routes, altitude adjustments, and avoidance of particular weather phenomena that could lead to hazardous icing conditions.