Aerosols from air pollution affect weather and climate in various ways. Uncertainties remain on their interactions with clouds, in particular via microphysics (processes related to phase-changes of water that generate rain and lightning). We investigate this with high resolution simulations, focusing on cumulus thermals (the rising bubbles in clouds). We describe the thermals’ roles in these interactions, and identify related mesoscale feedback that enhance convection under polluted conditions.

Estimating ozone formation potential from ambient volatile organic compound observations introduces bias by ignoring photochemical aging. Reconstructed initial emissions for a Shanghai suburban site reveal that primary oxygenated compounds and unmeasured species constitute 40.8 % and 12.6 % of total emissions, respectively. These overlooked precursors exhibit ozone formation capacity comparable to non-methane hydrocarbons, highlighting the need to include them in mitigation strategies.