Title: Analysis of regional climate model simulations for Central Europe as a potential tool to assess weather-related air quality conditions

Authors: Ildikó Pieczka; Rita Pongrácz; Csilla Péliné Németh; Tímea Kalmár

Addresses: Department of Meteorology, Eötvös Loránd University, H-1117 Budapest, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/A, Hungary ' Department of Meteorology, Eötvös Loránd University, H-1117 Budapest, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/A, Hungary; Faculty of Science, Excellence Center, Eötvös Loránd University, H-2462 Martonvásár, Brunszvik u. 2. Hungary ' Geoinformation Service, Hungarian Defence Forces, H-1525 Budapest 114, POB 37, Hungary; Szilágyi Erzsébet fasor 7-9., Budapest, Hungary ' Department of Meteorology, Eötvös Loránd University, H-1117 Budapest, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/A, Hungary

Abstract: Potentially adverse air quality is discussed via its relation to wind conditions and boundary layer thickness. The main goal of the study is to evaluate different RegCM simulations for 1981–1990, driven by either reanalysis data or global climate model output. Wind speed, temperature, planetary boundary layer (PBL) height and the Holst stagnation index are analysed and compared to the reference data. Wind is overestimated throughout the year. Temperature is overestimated in the plain areas, whereas underestimated in the mountains. The PBL height is generally overestimated and substantial differences are identified between the RegCM4.5 and RegCM4.3 simulations. Consequently, these result in substantial underestimations of the Holst stagnation index and of the frequency of potentially adverse air quality, although the annual cycles are reproduced well. In order to prepare reliable projections, the testing of different model setups must be continued, especially changing the Holtslag scheme to a different PBL parameterisation scheme.

Keywords: planetary boundary layer; PBL; wind; Holst stagnation index; RegCM; regional climate model; validation; air pollution; Carpathian Basin; Central Europe.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2019.104524

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2019 Vol.66 No.1/2/3, pp.98 - 116

Received: 19 Apr 2018
Accepted: 09 Jan 2019
Published online: 17 Jan 2020 *

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