Desert Dust Triggers Ice in Northern Clouds, Hinting at Climate Model Refinements
A 35-year satellite study finds mineral dust from deserts seeds ice formation in cloud tops across the Northern Hemisphere, increasing ice in mixed-phase clouds and altering both sunlight reflection and precipitation. This link between desert dust and cloud freezing could help refine climate projections, though regional variability exists and further research is needed on factors like updraft strength and humidity.