Tracing contrails within cirrus clouds and their climate effect

Ziming Wang and Christiane Voigt ()
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Ziming Wang: Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), Institute of Atmospheric Physics
Christiane Voigt: Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), Institute of Atmospheric Physics

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-3

Abstract: Aircraft contrails are not just streaks in clear blue skies - they represent a significant source of warming from the aviation sector. Two new studies reveal that their climate impact is more complex than previously thought, as many contrails may form within existing cirrus clouds – a factor often overlooked in past assessments. Drawing on aircraft, satellite and meteorological data, Petzold et al. and Seelig et al. provide fresh insights into the occurrence frequency and the radiative properties of these often “hidden” contrails.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-66724-6

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