Planes changing weather patterns: study

Posted July 1, 2011 09:41:00

Researchers say planes might be changing local weather patterns around airports.

A study released in the American journal Science has found aeroplanes flying through clouds can lead to increased snowfall around airports.

The researchers say the effect is similar to the practice of cloud seeding, where aircraft are used to disperse chemicals to bring about rain or snow.

Cloud seeding is common practice in China and studies of its effectiveness are underway in Australia.

The study shows that when commercial and private planes fly through clouds with temperatures of around minus 10 degrees Celsius, cool air produced by engine blades creates a hole in the cloud which then expands and increases precipitation.

The researchers say the phenomenon probably does not affect the global climate, but may increase the need to remove ice from planes.

Tags: science-and-technology, weather, australia, united-states

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/07/01/3258355.htm

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