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Measurements of upper troposheric humidity at low temperatures during CRYSTAL-FACEAircraft condensation trails (contrails) and thin cirrus were studied by instruments on the NASA WB-57F high-altitude aircraft during contrails and optically thing cirrus are contrasted by different levels of supersaturation with respect to ice. During the July 13, 2002, flight of the WB-57F aircraft intercepted visible contrails produced by both the WB-57F and ER-2 aircraft. These contrails were located immediately below the local tropopause, where ambient temperatures were very low (-76 degree C). The contrails were clearly indicated by an abrupt increase in NO and a simultaneous, abrupt decrease in ice supersaturation. With in the contrail, the relative humidity was close to 130% with respect to ice, higher than expected from theory. Outside the contrails was a persistent layer of subvisible currus extending from approximately 13 to 15 km altitude. This layer was characterized y significant supersaturations because the ambient concentrations of ice particles were insufficient to significantly deplete the ice supersaturation. We will discuss in situ measurements and models simulations of humidity.
Document ID
20060043826
Acquisition Source
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Document Type
Conference Paper
External Source(s)
Authors
Herman, Robert L.
Heymsfield, Andrew J.
Ridley, Brian A.
Bui, Paul T.
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
April 9, 2003
Meeting Information
Meeting: Joint EGS/AGU Meeting
Location: Nice
Country: France
Start Date: April 9, 2003
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
water vapor
cloud microphysics
cirrus

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