Aerosol meteorology of Maritime Continent for the 2012 7SEAS southwest monsoon intensive study - Part 2: Philippine receptor observations of fine-scale aerosol behavior

Abstract. The largest 7 Southeast Asian Studies (7SEAS) operations period within the Maritime Continent (MC) occurred in the August–September 2012 biomass burning season. Data included were observations aboard the M/Y Vasco, dispatched to the Palawan Archipelago and Sulu Sea of the Philippines for September 2012. At these locations, the Vasco observed MC smoke and pollution entering the southwest monsoon (SWM) monsoonal trough. Here we describe the research cruise findings and the finer-scale aerosol meteorology of this convectively active region. This 2012 cruise complemented a 2-week cruise in 2011 and was generally consistent with previous findings in terms of how smoke emission and transport related to monsoonal flows, tropical cyclones (TC), and the covariance between smoke transport events and the atmosphere's thermodynamic structure. Biomass burning plumes were usually mixed with significant amounts of anthropogenic pollution. Also key to aerosol behavior were squall lines and cold pools propagating across the South China Sea (SCS) and scavenging aerosol particles in their path. However, the 2012 cruise showed much higher modulation in aerosol frequency than its 2011 counterpart. Whereas in 2011 large synoptic-scale aerosol events transported high concentrations of smoke into the Philippines over days, in 2012 measured aerosol events exhibited a much shorter-term variation, sometimes only 3–12 h. Strong monsoonal flow reversals were also experienced in 2012. Nucleation events in cleaner and polluted conditions, as well as in urban plumes, were observed. Perhaps most interestingly, several cases of squall lines preceding major aerosol events were observed, as opposed to 2011 observations where these lines largely scavenged aerosol particles from the marine boundary layer. Combined, these observations indicate pockets of high and low particle counts that are not uncommon in the region. These perturbations are difficult to observe by satellite and very difficult to model. Indeed, the Navy Aerosol Analysis and Prediction System (NAAPS) simulations captured longer period aerosol events quite well but largely failed to capture the timing of high-frequency phenomena. Ultimately, the research findings of these cruises demonstrate the real world challenges of satellite-based missions, significant aerosol life cycle questions such as those the future Aerosol/Clouds/Ecosystems (ACE) will investigate, and the importance of small-scale phenomena such as sea breezes, squall lines, and nucleation events embedded within SWM patterns in dominating aerosol life cycle and potential relationships to clouds

Aerosol Meteorology of the Maritime Continent for the 2012 7SEAS Southwest Monsoon Intensive Study - Part 2: Philippine Receptor Observations of Fine-Scale Aerosol Behavior

The largest 7 Southeast Asian Studies (7SEAS) operations period within the Maritime Continent (MC) occurred in the August–September 2012 biomass burning season. Data included were observations aboard the M/Y Vasco, dispatched to the Palawan Archipelago and Sulu Sea of the Philippines for September 2012. At these locations, the Vasco observed MC smoke and pollution entering the southwest monsoon (SWM) monsoonal trough. Here we describe the research cruise findings and the finer-scale aerosol meteorology of this convectively active region. This 2012 cruise complemented a 2-week cruise in 2011 and was generally consistent with previous findings in terms of how smoke emission and transport related to monsoonal flows, tropical cyclones (TC), and the covariance between smoke transport events and the atmosphere’s thermodynamic structure. Biomass burning plumes were usually mixed with significant amounts of anthropogenic pollution. Also key to aerosol behavior were squall lines and cold pools propagating across the South China Sea (SCS) and scavenging aerosol particles in their path. However, the 2012 cruise showed much higher modulation in aerosol frequency than its 2011 counterpart. Whereas in 2011 large synoptic-scale aerosol events transported high concentrations of smoke into the Philippines over days, in 2012 measured aerosol events exhibited a much shorter-term variation, sometimes only 3–12 h. Strong monsoonal flow reversals were also experienced in 2012. Nucleation events in cleaner and polluted conditions, as well as in urban plumes, were observed. Perhaps most interestingly, several cases of squall lines preceding major aerosol events were observed, as opposed to 2011 observations where these lines largely scavenged aerosol particles from the marine boundary layer. Combined, these observations indicate pockets of high and low particle counts that are not uncommon in the region. These perturbations are difficult to observe by satellite and very difficult to model. Indeed, the Navy Aerosol Analysis and Prediction System (NAAPS) simulations captured longer period aerosol events quite well but largely failed to capture the timing of high-frequency phenomena. Ultimately, the research findings of these cruises demonstrate the real world challenges of satellite-based missions, significant aerosol life cycle questions such as those the future Aerosol/Clouds/Ecosystems (ACE) will investigate, and the importance of small-scale phenomena such as sea breezes, squall lines, and nucleation events embedded within SWM patterns in dominating aerosol life cycle and potential relationships to clouds

Aerosol optical depth analysis with NOAA GOES and POES in the Western Atlantic

An aerosol optical depth retrieval algorithm in the visible wavelengths for the NOAA POES AVHRR and GOES -8 visible imager is presented for the cloud free, marine atmosphere. The algorithm combines linearized single-scatter theory with an estimate of surface reflectance. Phase functions are parameterized using an aerosol size distribution model and the ratio of radiance values measured in channels 1 and 2 of the AVHRR. Retrieved satellite aerosol optical depth (AOD) is compared to three land-based sun photometer stations located on islands in the western Atlantic during July and September, 2001. GOES-8 channel 1 (visible wavelength) radiance values were initially calibrated using techniques developed by Rao. Additional corrections to the channel 1 GOES-8 radiances were made by applying a linear offset factor obtained during the experimental time period through comparison with AVHRR radiances. The results for the GOES -derived AOD compare favorably to the AERONET-measured AOD values. For both NOAA and GOES data, the comparison dataset has a correlation coefficient of 0.67 with a standard error of 0.07. For higher AOD cases (d = 0.25), the general trend was for the satellite-derived AOD values to underestimate AERONET-observed conditions. During these higher conditions, the scattering phase function pattern contained within the algorithm deviated from the expected pattern, especially between 140o - 180o. Overall, the more accurate calculations of AOD occurred over scatter angles between 140o - 150o and 170o - 180o.http://archive.org/details/aerosolopticalde109455886Civilian, NP-1340 Career Level 3Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Automating The Subjective Recognition Of 500 Mb Wind Patterns As Input To A Meteorological Forecasting System

this paper will be organized as follows. A discussion of pattern recognition will be followed by a description of the method developed by Bardossy et al (1995), in which "templates" are defined and used for pattern matching. The last section will summarize the preliminary results and offer suggestions for improvement. 2. PATTERN RECOGNITION Expert systems usually rely upon human input to a ______________________________

MEDEX: A Fuzzy System for Forecasting Mediterranean Gale Force Winds

This paper presents an implementation of a fuzzy rule-based system for predicting the onset and cessation of seven gale-force winds in the Mediterranean region. The rules were compiled by several meteorological experts, and implemented using a commercial software package. Significant issues included the specification of loosely defined variables, and the treatment of the system user's uncertainty and inexperience. Preliminary results show predicted wind onset and cessation likelihoods consistent with the experts' expectations and actual weather observations. 1. Introduction Fuzzy set methodologies are applied in an expert system setting to construct a meteorological forecasting tool which predicts the onset and cessation of seven predominant gale force winds in the Mediterranean region. Accurate forecasts of these winds are crucial for ship and aircraft operations in the region. Current forecasting methods rely heavily on the knowledge and experience of a local meteorologist. For Unit..

Accommodating User Uncertainty In A Meteorological Forecasting System Using Fuzzy Logic

This paper will present relevant background information on fuzzy expert systems and the meteorology involved, a discussion of the design and implementation of fuzzy MEDEX, and a summary of experimental results to date. 2. BACKGROUND 2.1. Meteorology Rules of thumb for predicting over 45 different winds over the Mediterranean have been compiled by the British Royal Navy. Brody and Nestor (1980) selected those winds which impact Navy operations, i.e., gale force winds with speeds greater than 35 knots. They are easily described using synoptic charts and are known as Bora, Etesian, Levante, Mistral, Sirocco, and Westerlies, and are described in detail in Kuciauskas et al. (1996). These winds are common occurrences and can be predicted through standard synoptic parameters such as cold front passages and the positions of upper level troughs and ridges. The primary parameter for determining gale force strengths for the winds listed above is the surface pressure difference between appropriate observation stations. 2.2. Expert System

Automated Forecasting Of Gale Force Winds In The Mediterranean Region

this paper is to describe the MEDEX software package as it applies to predicting gale force conditions of the six major wind types over the Mediterranean basin. Section 2 describes the various gale force wind types predicted by MEDEX. Section 3 describes MEDEX in terms of its basic structure as well as the concept of fuzzy logic. Finally, Section 4 presents the future plans for the development of MEDEX. 2. BACKGROUND AND CLIMATOLOGY There are more than 45 documented names for Mediterranean winds that were developed over the years by weather observers in the localized areas. The British Royal Navy (Meteorological Office, Air Ministry, 1962) documented this list and collected "rules-of-thumb" for predicting the onset, strength and cessation of many of these winds. Based on their findings, Brody and Nestor (1980) selected only those winds that were predominant, contained gale force strength and were predictable from synoptic products. An initial attempt was made by Jones (1989) to validate the rules for several of those winds as well as to develop an expert system to predict the wind occurrences, but with somewhat limited success. Six winds were studied by Brody and Nestor and are the winds used for the MEDEX prediction package. Figure 1 illustrates the locations of these winds. As shown by the topography of the surrounding land, all but the sirocc

Health and Safety Effects of Airborne Soil Dust in the Americas and Beyond

Risks associated with dust hazards are often underappreciated, a gap between the knowledge pool and public awareness that can be costly for impacted communities. This study reviews the emission sources and chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of airborne soil particles (dust) and their effects on human and environmental health and safety in the Pan-American region. American dust originates from both local sources (western United States, northern Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina) and long-range transport from Africa and Asia. Dust properties, as well as the trends and interactions with criteria air pollutants, are summarized. Human exposure to dust is associated with adverse health effects, including asthma, allergies, fungal infections, and premature death. In the Americas, a well-documented and striking effect of soil dust is its association with Coccidioidomycosis, commonly known as Valley fever, an infection caused by inhalation of soil-dwelling fungi unique to this region. Besides human health, dust affects environmental health through nutrients that increase phytoplankton biomass, contaminants that diminish water supply and affect food (crops/fruits/vegetables and ready-to-eat meat), spread crop and marine pathogens, cause Valley fever among domestic and wild animals, transport heavy metals, radionuclides and microplastics, and reduce solar and wind power generation. Dust is also a safety hazard to road transportation and aviation, in the southwestern US where blowing dust is one of the deadliest weather hazards. To mitigate the harmful effects, coordinated regional and international efforts are needed to enhance dust observations and prediction capabilities, soil conservation measures, and Valley fever and other disease surveillance. © 2023. The Authors