Characterization of aerosols over the Indochina peninsula from satellite-surface observations during biomass burning pre-monsoon season

► Characterization of aerosols over Indochina from satellite and surface observations. ► Multi-year analysis of aerosol vertical distribution is presented from CALIOP data. ► Regional aerosol loading is found to be significantly absorbing from AERONET data. ► The smoke-laden aerosol loading is found to exhibit a significant diurnal pattern. ► Satellite-based aerosol radiative impact is assessed using CERES data.