News Earth

Planes can trigger snowfall

Aircraft can seed clouds by flying through them

By Sid Perkins

- More than 2 years ago

Under just the right conditions, aircraft can substantially boost precipitation by seeding clouds as they fly through them, a new study reveals.

HOLE-Y SNOW Hole-punch clouds often form naturally when ice crystals or other particles fall into a cloud layer made of supercooled droplets and trigger precipitation there. New data suggest that under some conditions aircraft, especially turboprop jets, generate ice particles that can seed clouds and boost precipitation.