Abstract
A well-known theory of aircraft contrails (proposed by Sadovnikov, Appleman, Khrgian, and Mazin) is generalized for the case where condensation starts at relative humidity below 100%. The Appleman parameter is replaced by a contrail parameter k. When relative humidity drops to 70%, the threshold (maximum) atmospheric temperature at which the formation of contrails is still possible rises by about 10°C compared with Appleman temperature. It is noteworthy that anthropogenic climate impact connected with the appearance of contrails behind aircraft is determined not only by the intensity of air flights, but also by the location, time, and frequency of formation of clear-sky metastable zones in which humidity is higher than ice saturation.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1-8 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Russian Meteorology and Hydrology |
| Issue number | 9 |
| State | Published - 1998 |