Comparison of atmospheric transport calculations over complex terrain using a mobile profiling system and rawinsondes

Abstract

A comparison of atmospheric transport and dispersion calculations over complex terrain was investigated using a mobile profiling system (MPS) versus standard meteorological balloons. Meteorological and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) concentration data were collected and used to evaluate the performance of a transport and diffusion model coupled with a mass consistency wind field model. Meteorological data were collected throughout April 1995, and parts of August 1995. Both meteorological and concentration data were measured in December 1995. Once the models were validated, the comparison of performance with different upper‐air data were accomplished. The models used included the SCIPUFF (Second‐order Closure Integrated Puff) transport and diffusion model and the MINERVE mass consistency wind model. Evaluation of the models was focused primarily on their effectiveness as a short‐term (one to four hours) predictive tool. These studies showed how the combination of weather and transport models could be used to help direct emergency response following a hazardous material release. The models were used in tandem to direct the deployment of mobile sensors intended to intercept and measure tracer clouds. The MINERVE model was validated for the specific terrain of interest using April 1995 data. The capability of SCIPUFF driven by realistic three‐dimensional wind fields generated by MINERVE is demonstrated using data collected in December 1995. Copyright © 2000 Royal Meteorological Society

The use of diagnostic and prognostic wind fields for atmospheric transport calculations: an evaluation of the DIPOLE EAST 169 field experiment

“…With the southerly wind this implies that the models are underestimating the wind speed at those times. This is similar to the findings of Cox et al (1998bCox et al ( , 2000.…”

“…There have been several studies validating the results of the HPAC diagnostic wind models and the resultant diffusion field (Sontowski & Dougherty 1994;Sontowski et al 1995;and Cox et al 2000). In addition, there have been studies on prognostic models and their use in producing high quality prediction of parameters that are required for diffusion modelling; however, the two are not often discussed together.…”

An evaluation of three diagnostic wind models (CALMET, MCSCIPUF, and SWIFT) with wind data from the Dipole Pride 26 field experiments

“…Examining the surface and radiosonde data does show the variability and thus these models do not perform as well in cases of lighter wind speeds. Other studies by Cox et al (1998 and2000) suggest that the models more effectively model both speed and direction in strong dynamically forced conditions. What this study shows is the difficulty that these models have in weakly forced conditions.…”

“…In recent years the requirements for modelling atmospheric transport and diffusion of hazardous materials have become much more demanding and complex (Sontowski et al 1995, Cox et al 1998and Cox et al 2000. The ability to model three-dimensional (3D) wind fields consistent with complex terrain is now generally considered an essential element of most mesoscale or regional transport/diffusion models.…”

Shipboard multisensor merged wind profiles from the New England Air Quality Study 2004

“…Trajectories (backward and forward) were calculated using these data as part of a larger profiler network during NEAQS 2004 [ White et al , 2006]. Cox et al [2000] discuss the value to trajectory calculations using continuous wind profiles as does White et al [2006] especially during active weather patterns. These merged wind profiles provided an important component in calculating the lower and upper level transport of pollutants, as these measurements were the only wind profiles available over the Gulf of Maine.…”