The dynamical impact of Rossby wave breaking upon UK PM 10 concentration

• Published in: Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
• Main Authors: C. P. Webber, H. F. Dacre, W. J. Collins, G. Masato
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Copernicus Publications 2017
• Subjects: Physics; QC1-999; Chemistry; QD1-999; Midland; Northeast Atlantic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-867-2017; https://doaj.org/article/8c3a2731e4fd4d70b8b921aee68db4db

Coarse particulate matter (PM 10 ) has long been understood to be hazardous to human health, with mortality rates increasing as a result of raised ground level concentrations. We explore the influence of synoptic-scale meteorology on daily mean observed PM 10 concentration ([PM 10 ]) using Rossby wave breaking (RWB). Meteorological reanalysis data for the winter months (DJF) between January 1999 and December 2008 and observed PM 10 data for three urban background UK (Midland) sites were analysed. Three RWB diagnostics were used to identify RWB that had significant influence on UK Midland PM 10 . RWB events were classified according to whether the RWB was cyclonic or anticyclonic in its direction of breaking and whether the RWB event was influenced more by poleward or equatorial air masses. We find that there is a strong link between RWB events and UK [PM 10 ]. Significant increases ( p < 0.01) in UK [PM 10 ] were seen 1 day following RWB occurring in spatially constrained northeast Atlantic–European regions. Analysis into episodic PM 10 exceedance events shows increased probability of [PM 10 ] exceedance associated with all RWB subsets. The greatest probability of exceeding the UK [PM 10 ] threshold was associated with cyclonic RWB preceded by anticyclonic RWB forming an Ω block synoptic pattern. This mechanism suggests an easterly advection of European PM 10 followed by prolonged stagnant conditions within the UK and led to an almost threefold increase in the probability of the UK Midlands exceeding a hazardous [PM 10 ] threshold (0.383), when compared to days where no RWB was detected (0.129).