Life Cycle of Ice Supersaturated Regions in the UTLS (C01)

• Subject Area: Atmospheric Science
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 428312742

Ice supersaturated regions (ISSRs) are critical for ice cloud and contrail formation. Avoiding contrails is a focus for reducing aviation’s environmental impact, with relative humidity over ice playing a key role. Building on earlier machine learning efforts, we aim to investigate ISSRs’ 3D geometry and lifecycle using ERA5 data, requiring a tracking algorithm that handles object splitting, merging, and classification. Long-term analyses will reveal statistical patterns and scale-dependent processes. Distinguishing in-cloud from cloud-free ISSRs, using thresholds and measurement data from the TPEx campaign and IAGOS, will enhance the understanding of ISSR formation and successive transitions into natural clouds.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 301: The tropopause region in a changing atmosphere
• Applicant Institution: Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz
• Project Heads: Dr. Martina Krämer, until 12/2025; Dr. Philipp Reutter; Dr. Susanne Rohs; Dr. Christian Rolf, until 12/2025; Professor Dr. Peter Spichtinger