This study investigates aerosol-precipitation characteristics of urban clusters across different climatic areas in China: enhanced aerosol loading reduces regional precipitation disparities, most in spring & summer. Precipitation shows stronger regional than seasonal variability, with convective varying more than stratiform precipitation. Northern city precipitation is dominated by dust aerosols; coastal areas by sea salt. Moreover, dynamic & thermal impacts on their microphysics are distinct.

Estimating surface radiation in the Arctic is difficult because cloud conditions are not well captured. We used an advanced learning-based method and a more accurate cloud dataset to correct radiation estimates that are biased by cloud fraction underestimation. The improved results greatly reduce long-standing errors and provide a new and more reliable dataset. This helps researchers better understand Arctic climate change and energy balance.

Nighttime rainfall often links to low-level jets (LLJs), but we lack clarity on nationwide LLJ features. We here used a nationwide radar wind profiler network to study LLJ changes 2 hours before rainfall, covering China’s 2023–2024 rainy seasons. 56% nighttime rainfall had LLJs. The LLJs-associated heavy rain needed a rapid adjustment of LLJs’ vertical structure, especially a significant intensification within 30 minutes preceding rain. This shows the importance of LLJ in nowcasting rainfall.