Multiplatform analysis of upper air haze visibility in downtown Beijing

Abstract

Abstract. The vertical features of upper air visibility in the northwest of downtown Beijing was studied by using a multiplatform analysis during haze episodes near the 2017 New Year's Day. Through the multiplatform data analysis in hourly and daily variation, the upper air visibility follows the opposite trend against the PM2.5 mass concentration. The upper air visibility on non-haze days was about 3-5 times higher than that on haze days. The strong correlation between 10 PM2.5 mass concentration and haze parameters shows the effect of spatial transport of particles on haze parameters. In addition, a higher atmospheric boundary layer improves upper air visibility. The characteristics of multi-parameters have been analysed and concluded for different haze levels.