The thermal conductivity and diffusivity of porous ice accreted on spherical and spheroidal hailstone models were measured over a density range of 620–915 kg m−3. By scanning the evolving surface temperature distributions during cooling in a cold airflow the thermal conductivity was varied in iterative fashion until the internal heat flux produced the correct surface temperature distribution. The results indicate a linear dependence of the thermal conductivity, ki, and diffusivity, αi, on density. For example, lowering the density by 10% lowers ki by 15%. Within the range of cloud conditions, the density variations affect the thermal parameters more than temperature does. The results also indicate a continuous decrease of the thermal conductivity from bulk ice via consolidated porous ice to loosely packed snow.