Exploring drivers of the aggravated surface O3 over North China Plain in summer of 2015–2019: Aerosols, precursors, and meteorology

•Maximum daily 8-h (MDA8) O3 rose by ∼20.7% in June 2015–2019 over North China Plain.•The MDA8 O3 increase induced by aerosols reduction was limited (∼2.9%).•The MDA8 O3 increased by ∼9.7% due to the precursor emissions changes.•The meteorological fluctuation led to an increase of ∼6.4% in MDA8 O3.