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Dirty air fosters precipitation extremes

Changes to clouds encourage drought in dry areas and torrential downpours in moist ones

By Janet Raloff

- More than 2 years ago

Even clouds can suffer from inhaling air pollution, a new study finds, resulting in extreme rainfall patterns that appear to be altering climate across the globe.

This Department of Energy facility in central Oklahoma analyzed clouds over a 10-year period and found that aerosols can have an extreme effect on rainfall patterns.