Was due to go flying yesterday (Saturday) at 4AEF however got the news on Friday that it was cancelled due to an “ice front”. I look up pressure systems and found that there was an occluded front heading south west (I think haha) so was wondering (because I didn’t listen in geography last year), what weather conditions does an occluded front cause, and therefore why were we not to fly? Pure curiousity. I tried googling but to no avail, any help is appreciated!
Pure speculation but I think it’s a moist weather followed immediately by very cold air which contributes to icing on the wing. I think the next stage is freezing rain which is super cooled water which immediately freezes on impact. Very dangerous.
Simple description via the Met Office:
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/learning/learn-about-the-weather/how-weather-works/weather-fronts
Lots of rain = no good for visual flying conditions & depending on the altitudes you want to operate at, the potential for lots of icing.
Thank you both for the help!