wrote:
writes:
On a clear night the skin temperature can go BELOW the air
temperature due to the radiation losses into space.


Tony wrote:
Dan, it's not an important point, but from the physics/theromdynamics
side of the issue, the top surface of the wing is really at risk of
radiational cooling. The wing's leading edge's shape would allow
convective warming, as the warmer air in contact with the surface would
cool and flow downward.

And that's where we see frost forming: on top of the wings,
fuselage and stabilizer.

Yea, same here. Often we'll get lots of frost on the top of the plane,
almost never on the bottom. I wasn't sure if the difference was temp or
moisture.

-Robert