LAUSR

We use extreme value theory to develop point process statistical models relating the probability of extreme winter particulate pollution events in Beijing (“winter haze”) to local meteorological variables. The models are trained with the 2009–2017 record of fine particulate matter concentrations (PM2.5) from the U.S. embassy. We find that 850‐hPa meridional wind velocity (V850) and relative humidity successfully predict the probability for 24‐hr average PM2.5 to exceed 300 μg/m3 (95th percentile of the frequency distribution) as well as higher thresholds. We apply the point process models to mid‐21st century climate projections from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 model ensemble under two radiative forcing scenarios (RCP8.5 and RCP4.5). We conclude that 21st century climate change alone is unlikely to increase the frequency of severe PM2.5 pollution events (PM2.5 > 300 μg/m3) in Beijing and is more likely to marginally decrease the probability of such events.