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Abstract
Continuous measurements of nitrogen oxide and ozone were performed from a commercial
airliner during 1 year at cruising altitudes below and above the tropopause. The upper
tropospheric nitrogen oxides distribution was found to be strongly influenced by large-scale
plumes extending about 100 to 1300 kilometers along the flight track. The plumes were
frequently observed downwind of thunderstorms and frontal systems, which most probably
caused upward transport of polluted air from the continental boundary layer or nitrogen
oxide production in lightning strokes, or both. Particularly in summer, average ozone
concentrations in the plumes were enhanced compared to the tropospheric background
levels.