Prediction of the Impact of Meteorological Conditions on Air Quality during the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics

Abstract

The issue of air pollution has attracted more and more attention. Understanding how to predict air quality based on weather conditions has strong practical significance. For the first time, this paper combines weather circulation with climate prediction models to explore long-term air quality predictions. Using the T-mode (time realizations in columns) objective circulation classification method, we classified the weather circulation affecting Beijing, China, according to nine categories of predominant weather conditions. PM2.5, NO2, SO2, and CO concentration distributions for these nine circulation patterns were also determined. When the Beijing area was controlled by northwestern low pressure, a high-pressure rear, or a weak pressure field, the PM2.5 concentrations were higher, while high-pressure systems and a high-pressure rear were mostly associated with relatively high NO2, SO2, and CO concentrations. The concentrations of these pollutants under high-pressure fronts and northwestern high-pressure settings were low. Using the FLEXPART-WRF model to simulate the 48 h backward trajectory of the highest PM2.5 concentration under the nine circulation patterns from 2015 to 2021, we obtained the trap time of pollutants per unit concentration (imprint analysis) and determined the particle trap area under each circulation pattern. When using the EC-Earth climate prediction model, the daily circulation field during the Beijing Winter Olympics was forecasted, and the nine circulation patterns were compared. The corresponding circulation pattern in Beijing during the 2022 Winter Olympics should be conducive to the diffusion of pollutants and, therefore, the air quality is expected to be good.

Forecast of Fine Particles in Chengdu under Autumn–Winter Synoptic Conditions

“…This method can also reveal how meteorological conditions contribute to regional fine particle pollution [ 8 ]. For instance, weakened airflows resulting from climate change can increase fine particle concentrations [ 9 ], which was also predicted using the EC-Earth climate model [ 10 ]. Additionally, aerosol optical depth and fine particle concentrations influence weather patterns [ 11 ].…”

Sustainable road network design considering hydrogen fuel cell vehicles

“…Many automobile manufacturers are investing considerable resources in HFCV research and development 6 , 7 . Actually, HFCVs have been applied in certain specific events, such as during the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games, in which were used to transport athletes and participants 8 . In the future, with advances in HFCV technology, there will be two types of traffic flow on urban roads: fuel vehicles (FVs) and HFCVs 9 .…”

Positive Effect Observed on Reducing Criteria Pollutant Emissions Provided by Provisional Local Regulations during the 2022 Winter Olympics

“…Moreover, specific air quality targets were established in 64 cities to reduce the concentrations of harmful microscopic particles (PM 2.5 ), dozens of factories in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region were temporarily closed [18], and the number of severe pollution days from October 2021 to March 2022 was greatly reduced. During the 24th Winter Olympic Games readiness period, Wang et al (2022) predicted, through a combination of atmospheric circulation and climate prediction models, that the emissions of SO 2 , NO 2 , CO, and other pollutants would follow a downward trend [19]. Chu et al assessed the trends of PM 2.5 , PM 10 , SO 2 , and NO 2 air quality in Beijing and Zhangjiakou before and after the 2022 Winter Olympics using ground-based monitoring data.…”