Skip to main content
Log in

Synoptic and mesoscale weather conditions during air pollution episodes in Athens, Greece

  • Part I: Basic Studies and Novel Methods in Modeling Atmospheric Flows
  • Published:
Boundary-Layer Meteorology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Based on regular climatological and air quality data from the Greater Athens Area (GAA), the air pollution episodes observed in Athens during the period 1983–1990 were analysed and classified. The main characteristics of atmospheric conditions during days with high air pollution concentrations are summarized too. Model simulations show that the worst air pollution episodes in Athens occur during days with a critical balance between synoptic and mesoscale circulations and/or during days with warm advection in the lower troposphere.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Asimacopoulos, D.N., D. Deligiorgi, C. Drakopoulos, C. Helmis, K. Kokori, D.P. Lalas, D. Sikiotis, and C. Varostsos. 1991.An experimental study of air pollutant transport over complex terrain. Atmos. Envir., in press.

  • Avissar, R., and R.A. Pielke, 1989.A parameterization of heterogeneous land surfaces for atmospheric numerical models and its impact on regional meteorology. Mon. Wea. Rev.,117, 2113–2136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carapiperis, L. 1951,On the periodicity of the Etesian in Athens. Weather, Dec. 1951.

  • Carapiperis, L. and Catsoulis N. 1977.Contribution to the study of sea breeze in Athens area during the winter. Bull. Hell. Meteorol. Soc.,2, 1–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dikaiakos, J.G., 1983.The air pollution regime during Halkyon days. Weather., 1983.

  • Glendening, J.W., B.L. Ulrickson, and J.A. Businger. 1986.Mesoscale variability of boundary layer properties in the Los Angeles basin. Mon. Wea. Rev.,114, 2537–2549.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Helmis, C.G., D.N. Asimacopoulos, D. Deligiorgi, and D.P. Lalas. 1987.Observations of the sea breeze front structure near the shoreline. Boundary-Layer Meteorol.,38, 395–410.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kallos, G., and P. Kassomenos. 1991.Weather conditions during air pollution episodes in Athens, Greece: An overview of the problem. Preproceedings of the 19th ITM of NATO-CCMS on Air Pollution Modelling and its Application, Ierapetra, Greece, 77–102.

  • Katsoulis, B.D., 1988a.Aspects of the Occurrence of Persistent Surface Inversions over Athens Basin, Greece. Theor. and Appl. Climatol.,39, 98–107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Katsoulis, B.D., 1988b.Some Meteorological Aspects of Air Pollution in Athens, Greece. Meteorol. Atmos. Phys.,39, 203–212.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lalas, D.P., V.R. Veirs, G. Karras and G. Kallos, 1982.An analysis of SO 2 concentration levels in Athens, Greece. Atmos. Environ.16, 531–544.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McKendry, I.G., 1989.Numerical simulation of sea breezes over the Auckland region, New Zealand —Air quality implications. Boundary-Layer Meteorol.,49, 7–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pielke, R.A., R.T. McNider, M. Segal, and Y. Mahrer. 1983.The use of a mesoscale numerical for evaluations of pollutant transport and diffusion in coastal regions and over irregular terrain. Bull. American Meteorol. Soc.64, 243–249.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pielke, R.A., M. Garstang, C. Lindsey and J. Gusdorf, 1987.Use of a synoptic classification scheme to define seasons. Theor. Appl. Climatol.,38, 57–68.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pielke, R.A., and R. Avissar, 1990.Influence of landscape structure on local and regional climate. Landscape Ecology,4, 133–155.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pielke, R.A., R.A. Stocker, R.W. Arrit and R.T. McNider, 1991.A procedure to estimate worst-case air quality in complex terrain. Environmental International,17, 559–574.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pielke, R.A., W.R. Cotton, R.L. Walko, C.J. Tremback, W.A. Lyons, L.D. Grasso, M.E. Nicholls, M.D. Moran, D.A. Wesley, T.J. Lee and J.H. Copeland, 1992,A comprehensive meteorological modelling system—RAMS. Submitted to Modeling Atmos. Phys., pp 67.

  • Prezerakos, N.G., 1986.Characteristics of the sea breeze in Attica, Greece. Boundary-Layer Meteorol.,36, 245–266.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Segal, M., W.E. Schreiber, G. Kallos, J.R. Garatt, A. Rodi, J. Weaver, and R.A. Pielke. 1989a.The impact of crop areas in northest Colorado on midsummer mesoscale thermal circulations. Mon. Wea. Rev.,117, 809–825.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Segal, M., J.R. Garratt, G. Kallos, and R.A. Pielke. 1989b.The impact of wet soil and canopy temperatures on daytime boundary-layer growth. J. Atmos. Sci.,46, 3673–3784.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Segal, M., G. Kallos, J. Brown, and M. Mandel. 1992.On morning temporal variations of shelter level specific humidity. J. of Appl. Meteorol.,31, 74–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steyn, D.G., and G. Kallos. 1992.A study of dynamics of hodograph rotation in the sea breezes of Attica, Greece. Boundary-Layer Meteorol.,58, 215–228.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ulrickson, B., and C.F. Mass, 1990a.Numerical investigation of mesoscale circulations over the Los Angeles basin, Part I: A verification study. Mon. Wea. Rev.,118, 2138–2161.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ulrickson, B., and C.F. Mass, 1990b.Numerical investigation of mesoscale circulations over the Los Angeles Basin, Part II: Synoptic influences and pollutant transport. Mon. Wea. Rev.,118, 2162–2184.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xian, Z. and R.A. Pielke, 1991.The effects of width of landmasses on the development of sea breezes. J. Appl. Meteorol.,30, 1280–1304.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yu, C.H. and R.A. Pielke, 1986.Mesoscale air quality under stagnant synoptic cold season conditions in the Lake Powell area. Atmos. Environ.,20, 1751–1762.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kallos, G., Kassomenos, P. & Pielke, R.A. Synoptic and mesoscale weather conditions during air pollution episodes in Athens, Greece. Boundary-Layer Meteorol 62, 163–184 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00705553

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00705553

Keywords

Navigation