Weather
Weatherwatch: Cleaner clouds may slow rate of global heating
Study shows falling dust levels are making clouds more reflective, an effect not taken into account in climate models Cleaner clouds are helping to slow the rate of global heating, a study shows. Falling levels of dust in the atmosphere are making clouds more reflective. This previously unidentified effect is not being taken into account by current climate models, which may mean they are slightly overestimating the projected rate of global heating. Researchers analysed satellite observations of high clouds in the northern hemisphere and assessed the ratio of ice crystals to liquid droplets ove