If freezing level is at 10,000 feet in warm air and 2,000 feet in cold air, at which altitude is the probability of freezing rain the lowest?

To understand the altitudes where the probability of freezing rain is lowest, it's essential to consider how freezing rain forms. Freezing rain occurs when falling rain drops pass through a layer of cold air and freeze upon contact with surfaces, typically when there is a warm layer aloft and a cold layer beneath.

In the scenario described, the freezing level is at 10,000 feet in warm air and at 2,000 feet in cold air. The key point is that as you ascend above the freezing level in warm air, there's a greater likelihood that the atmospheric conditions are conducive to rain instead of snow, particularly above freezing levels.

Looking specifically at the altitude of 12,000 feet, this height is above the freezing level associated with the warm air. Since it is well above the freezing altitude, temperatures are likely to remain above freezing, maintaining the water in liquid form. This significantly decreases the chance of freezing rain occurring at this altitude compared to lower altitudes where air temperatures may fluctuate around freezing.

In contrast, lower altitudes (like 9000 feet, 5000 feet, or 3000 feet) have a higher likelihood of encountering temperatures that could lead to the formation of freezing rain since they are either within or below the freezing level