Flying blind and freezing: Navy investigating terrifying EA-18G Growler flight

Yeah, I read about that earlier and it struck me as odd. I'm wondering why they didn't head out over the ocean and get lower for warmer temperatures. Icing up your instruments wouldn't happen instantaneously and those jets have the capability to descend awfully fast. Sure, it'd still be cold as hell, but at least it wouldn't be -30 and blinding. Of course, that's Monday-morning-quarterbacking. I'm glad they handled it and preserved the asset while assuring their own safety. I just wonder if there's not some other factor not explained in the article.