From Tropospheric Folding to Khamsin and Foehn Winds: How Atmospheric Dynamics Advanced a Record-Breaking Dust Episode in Crete

Solomos, Stavros; Kalivitis, Nikos; Mihalopoulos, Nikos; Amiridis, Vassilis; Kouvarakis, Giorgos; Gkikas, Antonis; Binietoglou, Ioannis; Tsekeri, Alexandra; Kazadzis, Stelios; Kottas, Michael; Pradhan, Yaswant; Proestakis, Emmanouil; Nastos, Panagiotis T.; Marenco, Franco

doi:10.20944/preprints201805.0321.v1

Cited by 26 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…The fine particulate matter (PM2.5) analysis is performed using daily mean values. Cyprus is frequently affected by dust storms from both North Africa and the Middle East (Kallos et al 2014 ; Gkikas et al 2018 ; Solomos et al 2017 , 2018 ), and these events can contribute to the overall exceedances of the health safety thresholds set by the Air Quality Directive. The WRF-Chem model includes an online dust mobilization and transport module that simulates the sources and transport of mineral dust particles in the atmosphere.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of EU air quality standards through modeling and the FAIRMODE benchmarking methodology

Kushta

Georgiou

Proestos

et al. 2018

Air Qual Atmos Health

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We evaluate air quality modeling over the East Mediterranean using the benchmarking methodology developed in the framework of the Forum for Air Quality Modelling in Europe (FAIRMODE). FAIRMODE aims to provide a harmonized approach of model evaluation for regulatory purposes. We test the methodology by assessing the performance of the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with chemistry (WRF-Chem) against ground-based air quality observations over Cyprus, a member state of the European Union. Two nested domains are used (at 50- and 10-km horizontal grid spacing) with the comparison performed over the innermost domain. We consider performance indicators reflecting regulations for air quality standards (maximum daily 8-hourly mean ozone, hourly nitrogen dioxide, and daily fine particulate matter concentrations). The WRF-Chem model is found to satisfy the proposed performance objectives regarding ozone and NO2, though it underestimates the latter in urban areas possibly due to uncertainties in emission inventories. Fine particulate matter is well represented by the model, except on days with strong influence from natural sources, highlighting the necessity for fine-tuning dust mobilization and transport in the region. The objectives are fulfilled even though discrepancies exist between model and observations. Our results indicate the need for more stringent performance criteria at relatively low concentrations. Overall, we find that the methodology provides in-depth information and relevant statistical metrics to guide air quality and model assessments for monitoring compliance with the EU Air Quality Directives and other guidelines to limit the impact of air pollution on human health and ecosystems.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s11869-018-0631-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of EU air quality standards through modeling and the FAIRMODE benchmarking methodology

Kushta

Georgiou

Proestos

et al. 2018

Air Qual Atmos Health

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“…For example, Solomos et al. (2018) and Kaskaoutis et al. (2019) observed AOD values in excess of 6 over the eastern Mediterranean during the record‐breaking March 2018 dust event.…”

Section: Characteristics Of the Dust Stormmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Atmospheric Drivers of the Major Saharan Dust Storm in June 2020

Francis

Fonseca

Nelli

et al. 2020

Geophysical Research Letters

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This study investigates the atmospheric dynamics of the major dust storm that occurred in June 2020 over the Sahara and during which dust clouds associated with the highest-on-record aerosol optical depths were transported towards the America. An anomalous atmospheric circulation pattern in the mid-latitudes, linked to a circum-global wavetrain, resulted in the development of a subtropical high-pressure system to the west of the Saharan Heat Low. This created a pressure dipole and generated anomalously strong northeasterlies over the Sahara, which caused continuous dust emissions over 4 days. Occurring along the northern fringes of the Intertropical Discontinuity, the dust was transported to higher altitudes (6 km) by the strong updraft in this region. This injected the dust at the African Easterly Jet (AEJ) altitudes and favored a rapid westward long-range transport. The AEJ was also anomalously strong, being strengthened by the anticyclonic circulation associated with the anomalous high. Plain Language Summary Dust is an important constituent of the Earth's atmosphere, with a wide range of impacts ranging from human health to effects on climate. In June 2020, massive amounts of dust were lifted from the Sahara, the major dust source region in the world, and transported all the way into the Americas across the tropical Atlantic Ocean. This event was caused by the development of a subtropical high-pressure system over northwest Africa which resulted in sustained strong northeasterlies over the Sahara generating continuous dust emissions for 4 days. Due to the strong low-level convergence along the intertropical discontinuity region, the dust was lifted to roughly 5-6 km above the surface, and then transported westward by the stronger mid-atmospheric winds (>20 m s-1). At Cape Verde and over large swaths of the Atlantic Ocean, the amount of dust suspended in the atmosphere was associated with the largest aerosol optical depths on record.

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“…Due to the increase in computer power, these models can be run at higher spatial resolutions to allow for investigations of smaller-scale meteorological processes (<5 km), such as the effects of cold outflows from thunderstorms on dust emission (i.e. haboobs, see Vukovic et al 2014;Heinold et al 2013;Solomos et al 2018). Additionally, high-resolution model maps (<1 km) of sources are capable of recognizing dust hotspots, which in many cases have larger aerosol emissions than the other dust-productive areas.…”

Section: Outcomementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Within the air quality community, there are ongoing discussions about the methodologies currently available to quantitatively report on contributions of this natural source to ambient particulate matter levels in Europe, in compliance with the EU Air Quality Directive (2008/50/CE). A matter of discussion is also how the dust forecasting models can help in the design of early warning systems (Solomos et al 2018;Gama et al 2019;Gama et al 2020;Marmureanu et al 2019;El-Nadry et al 2019;Wenzhao et al 2019). Mei et al's (2020) article bridges the gap between the dust modelling communities and the providers of satellite dust observations, improving data quality and ensuring data standards compliance.…”

Section: Outcomementioning

confidence: 99%

COST Lecture 2019 AE GM Barcelona: International Network to Encourage the Use of Monitoring and Forecasting Dust Products (InDust)

Nemuc¹,

Basart

Tobías

et al. 2020

European Review

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Amongst the most significant extreme meteorological phenomena are the Sand and Dust Storms (SDS). Owing to significant amounts of airborne mineral dust particles generated during these events, SDS have impacts on climate, the environment, human health, and many socio-economic sectors (e.g. aviation, solar energy management). Many studies and reports have underlined that the society has to understand, manage and mitigate the risks and effects of SDS on life, health, property, the environment and the economy in a more unified way. The EU-funded European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action ‘InDust: International network to encourage the use of monitoring and forecasting Dust products’ has an overall objective to establish a network involving research institutions, service providers and potential end users on airborne dust information. We are a multidisciplinary group of international experts on aerosol measurements, aerosol modelling, stakeholders and social scientists working together, exchanging ideas to better coordinate and harmonize the process of transferring dust observation and prediction data to users, as well as to assist the diverse socio-economic sectors affected by the presence of high concentrations of airborne mineral dust. This article highlights the importance of being actively engaged in research networking activities, supported by EU and COST actions since common efforts help not only each scientist by shaping their expertise and strengthening their position, but also all communities.

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From Tropospheric Folding to Khamsin and Foehn Winds: How Atmospheric Dynamics Advanced a Record-Breaking Dust Episode in Crete

Cited by 26 publications

References 43 publications

Evaluation of EU air quality standards through modeling and the FAIRMODE benchmarking methodology

Evaluation of EU air quality standards through modeling and the FAIRMODE benchmarking methodology

The Atmospheric Drivers of the Major Saharan Dust Storm in June 2020

COST Lecture 2019 AE GM Barcelona: International Network to Encourage the Use of Monitoring and Forecasting Dust Products (InDust)

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