• Tiny aerosol particles in the air play a big role in regulating how much sunlight our planet absorbs or reflects, and how clouds form above us. • In a recent study, researchers found that extreme heat waves can trigger new particle formation (NPF), even at temperatures as high as 40°C (104°F).
Article Summaries:
- A new study shows that extreme heat waves can trigger the formation of tiny aerosol particles-known as new particle formation (NPF)-even at temperatures up to 40 °C (104 °F). Aerosols play a key role in controlling how much solar radiation the Earth absorbs or reflects and in cloud development. The research indicates that high‑temperature conditions, previously thought to suppress NPF, actually promote particle nucleation. This finding could influence climate models by highlighting a previously underappreciated source of aerosols during heat events, potentially affecting predictions of radiative forcing and cloud dynamics.
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