Application of WRF/Chem-MADRID Over Southeastern United States: Real-Time Air Quality Forecasting and Sensitivity Simulations

YANG ZHANG, CHINMAY JENA, KAI WANG, CHEN YUAN

Abstract


An advanced online-coupled meteorology-chemistry model, WRF/Chem-MADRID, has been applied for real-time air quality forecast (RT-AQF) in southeastern U.S. since 2009. In this work, the model is evaluated for fine particles (PM2.5) forecast for time periods since winter 2015-2016 and intercompared with previous forecasting periods. The results show consistently good performance for PM2.5, despite the moderate overpredictions in winter 2015-2016. Sensitivity simulations with updated emissions and satellite-constrained boundary conditions show improved skills for PM2.5 forecast for summer 2016 and winter 2016-2017 with NMBs within ±6% for PM2.5 against observations from AirNow. The model’s forecasting skills for air quality can be further enhanced by accurately representing pollutant emissions from extreme events such as wildfires.

Keywords


WRF/Chem-MADRID, Southeastern U.S., Real-time forecasting, Model evaluation, Sensitivity studies


DOI
10.12783/dteees/edep2017/15548

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