Rewritten Title: A Meteorological Phenomenon: Explaining the Linear Clouds Over Tehran’s Sky
Article:
A Scientific Explanation for Sky Patterns
Recent sightings of unusual linear cloud formations over Tehran prompted public curiosity and speculation. To address these observations, Sadegh Ziyaian, the Head of the National Forecasting Center of the Iran Meteorological Organization, has provided a clear scientific explanation, attributing the patterns to a common atmospheric phenomenon.
Contrails, Not Mystery
In an official statement, Ziyaian clarified that the linear clouds are, in fact, condensation trails, or “contrails,” left by aircraft passing through the skies over the capital. He emphasized that this is a natural occurrence dependent on specific atmospheric conditions.
“The formation of these trails depends on the vertical profile of the atmosphere,” Ziyaian explained. “In other words, when the air temperature is such that the vapor from an aircraft turns into ice droplets, this phenomenon occurs.”
The Role of Atmospheric Conditions
The official elaborated that this visual effect is only produced when an airplane flies at high altitudes during particular weather patterns. “When the vertical atmospheric profile is such that the temperature in the lower layers of the atmosphere has dropped significantly, the passage of an aircraft creates a trail that resembles linear clouds,” he stated.
He further noted that under different atmospheric conditions, when an aircraft flies at high altitudes, no such visible trail is left behind.
A Routine Occurrence
Concluding the explanation, the Head of the National Forecasting Center confirmed that the phenomenon is directly linked to the altitude of the freezing level in the atmosphere. “When the freezing level in the atmosphere lowers, the passage of an aircraft through the sky leads to this phenomenon,” Ziyaian said. “Essentially, the white trail is related to the aircraft’s exhaust gases, which contain water vapor. Upon contact with the very cold air, this vapor instantly turns into ice crystals.”
The official account confirms that the linear clouds are a routine and harmless meteorological event, dispelling any unfounded rumors about their origin.