Air stagnation climatology for the United States (1948--1998)
It has been observed that major air pollution episodes are usually related to the presence of stagnating anticyclones. Such anticyclones may linger over an area for a protracted period (4 days or more). During this period, surface wind speeds can fall to very low values. The near surface circulation is therefore insufficient to disperse accumulated pollutants, thereby causing distressful and possible hazardous conditions for the inhabitants of the area. In this atlas, the authors define the meteorological state which is favorable to an air pollution episode as an air stagnation event. The air stagnation event identifies areas where air may be trapped by poor ventilation due to persistent light or calm winds, and by the presence of inversions.
- Research Organization:
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Air Resources Lab., Silver Spring, MD (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 6408773
- Report Number(s):
- PB-99-143174/XAB; NOAA/ARL-ATLAS-1
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: See also PB-257368
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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