Giant sea salt aerosols play major role in Hawaii’s coastal clouds, rain Particles scatter light, act as starting point for cloud formation and initiate or limit rainfall
Despite their tiny sizes, aerosols — such as sea salt, dust and ash — play a significant role in shaping weather and climate. These particles scatter light, act as the starting point for cloud formation and can even initiate or limit rainfall.
Now, a U.S. National Science Foundation-supported study published in the journal Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics by scientists at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa reveals that the coastline can produce up to five times the concentration of giant sea salt aerosols compared to the open ocean and that coastal clouds may contain more of these particles — affecting cloud formation and rain around the Hawaiian Islands.
