"At its simplest, where the local atmosphere at the aircraft level is considered to be humid – this threshold varying with temperature, dew point, and pressure (altitude) – then a contrail will persist. It will grow and spread as water vapor in the surrounding natural atmosphere deposits directly on the ice substrate. Where the atmosphere is dry – often seen during widespread subsidence associated with a stagnant upper ridge or broad high pressure zone (e.g. Azores High) – the ice in the plume will rapidly sublimate and the contrail will end a wingspan or two behind the aircraft."
Posted on: Tue, 06 Aug 2013 22:24:41 +0000
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