Title: Real time, high resolution regional weather and air quality forecasting system in West Macedonia, Greece

Authors: A. Sfetsos, J.G. Bartzis

Addresses: Environmental Technology Laboratory, Department of Engineering and Management of Energy Resources, University of Western Macedonia, Bakola & Sialvera, 50100, Kozani, Greece; Environmental Research Laboratory, INT-RP, NCSR Demokritos, Patriarhou Grigoriou and Neapoleos, 15310, Agia Paraskevi, Greece. ' Environmental Technology Laboratory, Department of Engineering and Management of Energy Resources, University of Western Macedonia, Bakola & Sialvera, 50100, Kozani, Greece

Abstract: This paper presents an overview of the University of Western Macedonia|s (UoWM) operational model for predicting the prevailing meteorological and air quality conditions on a high resolution (2 × 2 km²) scale. The MM5 – SMOKE – CMAQ has been suitably parameterised with respect to the particular geographical and climatic characteristics of the region of West Macedonia. The system is designed to produce hourly forecasts for a 72 h horizon in addition to air quality indices and comparisons to the current EC and national regulatory limits. The performance of the system against observational data is discussed.

Keywords: regional air quality; operational forecasts; MM5; CMAQ; weather forecasting; air pollution; Greece; modelling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2011.038424

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2011 Vol.44 No.1/2/3/4, pp.244 - 251

Published online: 29 Apr 2015 *

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