The impact of meteorology on ozone in Houston
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Research Triangle Park, NC (United States)
- National Institute of Statistical Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC (United States)
This paper compares the results from both a one-stage hierarchical clustering technique (average linkage) and a two-stage technique (average linkage then k-means) as part of an objective meteorological Classification scheme designed to better elucidate ozone`s dependence on meteorology in the Houston, Texas, area. When applied to twelve years of meteorological data (1981-1992), each technique identified seven statistically distinct meteorological regimes, the majority of which exhibited significantly different daily 1-hour maximum ozone (O{sub 3}) concentrations. While both clustering approaches proved successful, the two-stage approach did appear superior in terms of better segregation of the mean O{sub 3}, concentrations. Both approaches indicated that the largest mean daily one-hour maximum concentrations are associated with migrating anticyclones and not with the quasi-permanent Bermuda High that often dominates the southeastern United States during the summer. As a result, maximum ozone concentrations are just as likely during the months of April, May, September and October as they are during the summer months. These findings support and help explain the unique O{sub 3}, climatology experienced by the Houston area.
- OSTI ID:
- 617768
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9704195-; TRN: 98:002116-0019
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Specialty conference on measurement of toxic and related air pollutants, Research Triangle Park, NC (United States), 29 Apr - 1 May 1997; Other Information: PBD: 1997; Related Information: Is Part Of Measurement of toxic and related air pollutants. Volume 1 and 2; PB: 1004 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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