Evaluation of Diurnal-Seasonal Variation of PBL Depth in Maryland

Material for discussionOctober 13, 2010

Dr. Konstantin Vinnikov, Acting State Climatologist for Maryland Prof. Russell Dickerson, Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science

University of Maryland at College Park, MD

PM2.5 vs. SO2

OBSERVED PM2.5 OBSERVED SO2

MD POWER PLANTS SO2 EMISSIONS

MEANS, MEDIANS and STANDARD DEVIATIONS of observed PBL Heights

75%, 50%, & 25% Percentiles of statistical distribution of observed PBL Height at GSFC

Result of smoothing vertical profiles of wind speed using 3rd order polynomial fit of data observed in the lower 2 km atmospheric layer .

•Evaluate opportunity for retrieving PBL Depth from observation of Micro Pulse Lidar at GSFC. Study climatology and variability of PBL Height. GOALS: Better understanding of diurnal and seasonal variations of atmospheric pollutants and WFR model validation.

•Evaluate opportunity for retrieving PBL Depth from observation of wind profiler at Beltsville, MD. Study climatology (occurrence, intensity, timing, altitude, etc) of Low Level Jets at Beltsville, MD vs. Fort Mede, MD. GOAL: Reveal role of Low Level Jets (LLJ) in delivering moisture and atmospheric pollutants from southern regions into Maryland.