FLYKLIM - Aircraft induced change of high clouds and its impact for the regional climate in Sweden

Airplanes inject gases, particles and vapour in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. In addition to the direct effect on the climate, an indirect effect is expected through a change in cloud cover or properties. It is important to understand the response of clouds to changes in the environment and assess the climatic impact.

In FLYKLIM we have used a chemistry model for aircraft plumes coupled to a regional chemical model to link emissions and high clouds. The resulting parameterization is applied in a regional climate model. Our objective has been to investigate the impact of aircraft emission on the cloudiness and thus the regional climate in Sweden. Different emission scenarios has been used to test the sensitivity of this indirect effect.

SMHI has been responsible for the large scale atmospheric chemistry and transport modelling using the MATCH model.

Duration: 2001-2003

Funded by: VINNOVA, Swedish Agency for Innovation Systems

Responsible at SMHI: Robert Bergstrom

Web site: FLYKLIM web page

References: Final report