Concurrent hot extremes and high ultraviolet radiation in summer over the Yangtze Plain and their possible impact on surface ozone

Hot extremes, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and surface ozone all have prominent effects on human health and ecosystems. Here we show evidence that both hot extremes and high surface UV radiation at noon time occur concurrently in summer over the Yangtze Plain. Composite analysis suggests that hot extremes in summer are primarily caused by the westward extension of the Western Pacific Subtropical High, which leads to less clouds and consequently more downward solar radiation on the surface over the Yangtze Plain. It is found that surface UV radiation may be dominated by cloud variations, instead of stratospheric ozone during the hot extremes. Further analysis indicates that the hot extremes and high UV radiation, which play important roles in photochemistry in the troposphere, may result in more surface ozone. The concurrent hot extremes, strong UV radiation, and severe ozone pollutions over the Yangtze Plain in summer are likely to have dramatical influences on human health, which should be paid more attention.

Automated summary

Hot extremes and high surface UV radiation occur concurrently in the Yangtze Plain in summer, primarily due to the westward extension of the Western Pacific Subtropical High which leads to less clouds and more solar radiation. The study suggests that surface UV radiation may be dominated by cloud variations and hot extremes and high UV radiation may result in more surface ozone.