Interesting experience yesterday

Here is one for you. On approach to Nashville, last week, cloud tops 4000
msl, bottoms 1800 msl, temp 35 deg F at 4000'
I started the approach, ATC descended me to 3000' for the downwind leg
vector. After about a minute or so I noticed clear ice on the windshield and
wings. I queried ATC, no one else had reported ice in the area I was in nor
was it forecast. I asked for lower and was informed that the mea was 3000'
msl and lower not possible. I advised that I needed to go back to 4000' msl.
ATC approved and back up I went to 4000 msl to shed the ice.
Lesson Learned...ice builds up VERY fast. Act fast. Make it right. No second
chances. We landed 10 miles away at Smyrna, TN no ice.

Bill Snow, PE, CP, IA, ASEL