We studied ice-supersaturated regions in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere where high humidity can lead to cloud and contrail formation. Using data from 2010 to 2020, we found these regions to have fractal characteristics by applying an area-perimeter method. The fractal dimension follows a seasonal cycle. Our results can help evaluate climate models and have possible implications on contrail mitigation.
Schuh, H. Z., P. Reutter, S. Niebler, and P. Spichtinger (2026): Fractal characteristics of ice-supersaturated regions in the tropopause region of the northern midlatitudes. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics 26 (15), 11235–11253. doi: 10.5194/acp-26-11235-2026
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