Vertical distribution of optical and micro-physical properties of ambient aerosols during dry haze periods in Shanghai

► The vertical distributions of aerosol TABC, VDR and TACR have been analyzed. ► Scattering from aerosols decreases with the increase of altitudes from 0 to 10 km. ► The irregularity of aerosols increases with increased altitudes. ► The relatively larger particles appear more frequently in the lower and upper. ► Smoke and maritime aerosols are the major dry aerosol types.