Surface ozone in global cities: A synthesis of basic features, exposure risk, and leading meteorological driving factors

•Global ozone pollution showed a clear spatiotemporal distribution pattern in 2020.•Approximately 12% of the population in 261 cities was exposed to high O3 levels.•Ozone is significantly correlated with meteorological factors.•Temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed were the main influencing factors.•Interactive effects on O3 were distinctly higher than that of single factors.