What is the characteristic of severe icing?

Severe icing is characterized by extreme accumulation of ice on the wings, control surfaces, and other critical areas of an aircraft. This level of icing can significantly degrade the performance of the aircraft, resulting in reduced lift, increased drag, and potential control difficulties. Pilots must be aware that severe icing can lead to the possibility of an aircraft exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing a stall. Thus, identifying extreme accumulation as a characteristic of severe icing underscores the critical safety implications involved, which can necessitate immediate action or diversion to avoid hazardous conditions. The focus on extreme accumulation helps reinforce the importance of weather awareness and the need for decisive measures when flying in conditions conducive to icing.