USCG Meteorology Practice Exam

The term used to describe a light, feathery deposit of ice that forms through the sublimation of water vapor on cold surfaces is "frost." Frost occurs when the temperature of surfaces cools below the dew point, causing water vapor in the air to change directly from gas to solid without becoming liquid first. This process typically takes place under clear conditions when the ground cools rapidly, leading to the formation of delicate ice crystals.

Snow refers to solid precipitation that falls from clouds, comprising many tiny ice crystals that cluster together, which is distinct from the formation of frost. Glaze is a type of ice accumulation that occurs when freezing rain creates a smooth coating of ice on surfaces. Sleet, on the other hand, refers to small balls or irregular pellets of ice that fall during winter storms when raindrops freeze before reaching the ground. Each of these terms relates to different meteorological phenomena that involve ice, but frost specifically captures the essence of the phenomenon described in the question.