What happens to the amount of supercooled water droplets with an increase in altitude when temperatures are not far below freezing?

The amount of supercooled water droplets usually increases with altitude when temperatures are not far below freezing due to the unique characteristics of clouds at higher elevations. As air rises, it cools, leading to the condensation of water vapor into small water droplets. In conditions where temperatures hover near freezing, water can coexist in a liquid state even below 0 degrees Celsius.

This occurs because the presence of small ice nuclei can prevent water from freezing, allowing for a higher concentration of supercooled droplets. Additionally, the upward movement of moist air can increase the likelihood of supercooled water droplets forming, as the air continues to rise and cool, further contributing to their presence in the atmosphere at increased altitudes. As a result, rather than staying constant, fluctuating, or decreasing, the tendency is for these supercooled droplets to become more abundant in conditions where temperatures are slightly below freezing.