Polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) have been observed by balloonborne backscatter sondes from Alert, Thule, Heiss Island, Scoresbysund, Sodankyl¿, S¿ndre Str¿mfjord, and Ny A˙lesund during winters 1989, 1990, 1995, and 1996 in 30 flights. The observations can be categorized into two main groups: type 1a and type 1b PSC particles. Type 1b PSCs show the characteristics expected from liquid ternary solution (HNO3/H2SO4/H2O) particles, consistent with model simulations. Type 1a PSCs are observed at all temperatures below the condensation temperature TNAT of nitric acid trihydrate (NAT), consistent with solid NAT composition. Air parcel trajectories have been calculated for all observations to provide synoptic temperature histories of the observed particles. A number of cases have been identified, where the particles have experienced temperatures close to or above the sulfuric acid tetrahydrate melting temperatures within 20 days prior to observation. This assures a knowledge of the physical phase (liquid) of the particles at this time, prior to observation. The subsequent synoptic temperature histories, between melting and the time of observation, show pronounced differences for type 1a and type 1b PSC particles, indicating the qualitative temperature conditions, necessary to generate solid type 1a PSCs. The temperature histories of type 1b particles show smoothly, in most cases monotonic, decreasing temperatures. The temperature can apparently decrease to the frost point without causing the particles to freeze. The type 1b PSC particles are mostly observed shortly after entering a cold region. The observed type 1a particles have spent several days at temperatures close to or below TNAT prior to observation, often associated with several synoptic temperature oscillations around TNAT, and the particles are observed in aged clouds. It appears that the PSC particles may freeze, if they experience synoptic temperatures below TNAT with a duration of at least 1 day, possibly accompanied by several temperature oscillations. However, liquid particles that experience a smooth cooling, even to very low temperatures, or single smooth cooling/heating below TNAT without synoptic temperature fluctuations do not seem to freeze.¿ 1997 American Geophysical Union