Beijing's growing urban area spells rain change for region

More cars, factories, heat, and pollution—these are some of the consequences of urbanization. Atmospheric researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory found that the impact of urbanization around Beijing, China, creates two opposite regional effects, both of which govern seasonal rainfall in the area. Increased atmospheric particles—primarily from burning fossil fuels—work on clouds to decrease rainfall upwind of Beijing and increase downwind rain. Turns out this is a more powerful impact than the particles' direct effect—disrupting sunlight energy's journey to the surface.

Read the whole article on Physorg

More from Physorg