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Aircraft measurements of aerosols were conducted over the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea from February 14 to March 10, 2013, during the Aerosol Radiative Forcing in East Asia 2013 Winter campaign. Ground‐based measurements of aerosols were also conducted on Fukue Island (32.8°N, 128.7°E), located near the boundary of the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea. The aircraft measurements revealed large increases in particle number concentrations in the nucleation mode (2.5–10 nm and up to ~105 cm−3) at altitudes of ~0.5–3 km over the Yellow Sea. This was attributed to enhanced new particle formation (NPF) above the marine boundary layer over the Yellow Sea. The number ratios of Aitken‐mode (10–90 nm) or accumulation‐mode (>90 nm) particles to black carbon particles (tracer for primary emissions) were used to quantify the effects of NPF on particle number concentrations. We estimated that NPF increased median Aitken‐mode particle number concentrations by an order of magnitude at altitudes of ~1–3 km over the Yellow Sea. Synchronized aircraft and ground‐based data suggest that vertical transport of Aitken‐mode particles formed over the Yellow Sea led to a large variability in the particle growth events observed on Fukue Island. A shift of sea surface temperature near Fukue Island and the resultant promotion of vertical mixing are probably the key mechanisms responsible for this complex feature. Evolution of accumulation‐mode particles was observed farther downwind over the East China Sea, suggesting significant impacts of NPF on the regional distributions of cloud condensation nuclei. Key Points: Airborne measurements in Feb–Mar 2013 revealed large enhancements of nanoparticles above the marine boundary layer over the Yellow SeaWe estimate that new particle formation increased particle number concentrations by a factor of ~10 at ~1–3 km over the Yellow SeaAitken‐mode particles formed over the Yellow Sea had significant impacts on cloud condensation nuclei over the East China Sea [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]