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U.S. Department of Energy
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Some meteorological aspects of air pollution in Utah with emphasis on the Salt Lake Valley. Technical memo

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5215769
The onset of a pollution episode does not result from a sudden increase in pollution output but rather is directly related to meteorological conditions which trap pollutants near the ground. The air pollution problem of Utah can be divided into definite types and periods. The two most important meteorological conditions with respect to pollution in an area are: How well the pollutant can be mixed in the vertical or stability of the atmosphere and, the horizontal transport of pollutants or wind speed. Under stagnant, high anticyclonic (high-pressure) conditions, winds in the Salt Lake Valley are very light, controlled mainly by interaction of the nearby Great Salt Lake and mountains. Due to these two features, winds show a diurnal regime flowing from land to water at night and reversing during the day. In any case under a stagnant high, they remain very light.
Research Organization:
National Weather Service, Salt Lake City, UT (USA). Western Region
OSTI ID:
5215769
Report Number(s):
PB-271267; NOAA-IM-NWS-WR-120
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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