Microplastics may be entering the clouds and affecting the weather, scientists say

By Miriam Freedman and Heidi Busse – Live Science

Clouds affect Earth’s weather and climate in many ways. New research suggests that the presence of microplastic particles could alter these processes.

Clouds form when water vapor — an invisible gas in the atmosphere — sticks to tiny floating particles, such as dust, and turns into liquid water droplets or ice crystals. In a newly published study, we show that microplastic particles can have the same effects, producing ice crystals at temperatures 5 to 10 degrees Celsius (9 to 18 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer than droplets without microplastics.