The weather analysis in this story directly contradicts an article on the BBC yesterday.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8085539.stm
Meteorologists say the Air France Flight 447 had entered an unusual storm with 100mph (160km/h) updrafts that sucked water up from the ocean.
As the moisture reached the plane's high altitude it quickly froze in -40C temperatures. The updrafts would also have created dangerous turbulence, they say.
Today's article:
Weather experts said there was no evidence storms the plane encountered were "exceptional" for the season.
"According to the analysis of the infrared images, there is nothing to suggest that there was a cluster of thunderstorms of exceptional intensity," Mr Ratier said.
"Certainly there was powerful cumulo-nimbus [storm clouds], but these are found frequently in this area and in normal climactic conditions," he added.
Things that make you say "uh huh."