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Temperature inversion characteristics in relation to synoptic circulation above Athens, Greece

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Abstract

In this paper, the characteristic properties of inversions formed inside the lower boundary layer over Athens, Greece, were studied using 35-year radiosonde measurements of temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure. The analysis revealed that the inversion parameters demonstrate considerable seasonal variation. Specifically, inversions associated with weak anticyclonic conditions are more frequent during the winter and summer months, while during spring, weak lows are more probable to produce inversions. Some theoretically expected associations between synoptic circulation patterns and certain inversion parameters were also identified.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (HNMS) and The British Atmospheric Data Center (BADC) for providing the radiosonde data.

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Correspondence to A. K. Paschalidou.

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Kassomenos, P.A., Paschalidou, A.K., Lykoudis, S. et al. Temperature inversion characteristics in relation to synoptic circulation above Athens, Greece. Environ Monit Assess 186, 3495–3502 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-014-3632-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-014-3632-x

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