Articles | Volume 12, issue 12
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-5603-2012
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-5603-2012
Research article
 | 
28 Jun 2012
Research article |  | 28 Jun 2012

Regional air-quality forecasting for the Pacific Northwest using MOPITT/TERRA assimilated carbon monoxide MOZART-4 forecasts as a near real-time boundary condition

F. L. Herron-Thorpe, G. H. Mount, L. K. Emmons, B. K. Lamb, S. H. Chung, and J. K. Vaughan

Abstract. Results from a regional air quality forecast model, AIRPACT-3, were compared to AIRS carbon monoxide column densities for the spring of 2010 over the Pacific Northwest. AIRPACT-3 column densities showed high correlation (R > 0.9) but were significantly biased (~25%) with consistent under-predictions for spring months when there is significant transport from Asia. The AIRPACT-3 CO bias relative to AIRS was eliminated by incorporating dynamic boundary conditions derived from NCAR's MOZART forecasts with assimilated MOPITT carbon monoxide. Changes in ozone-related boundary conditions derived from MOZART forecasts are also discussed and found to affect background levels by ± 10 ppb but not found to significantly affect peak ozone surface concentrations.

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