Characterizing Low-Level Jets in the Mid-Atlantic: Impact on Boundary Layer Evolution and Composition

Using multi-year observations, this study investigates the impacts of Low-Level Jets (LLJs) on air quality (AQ) in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Utilizing an integrated observation framework, including NASA’s Tropospheric Ozone Lidar Network (TOLNet), Pandora spectrometers, AErosol RObotic NETwork (AERONET), ceilometers, radar wind profilers, and EPA surface AQ monitors, this research examines the role of Mid-Atlantic LLJs in pollution distribution and AQ episodes. In the Mid-Atlantic, LLJs have been reported to significantly impact surface-level composition by injecting residual layer pollutants and/or transporting pollutants to downwind locations. By leveraging observations and reanalysis models, the study explores the mechanisms by which LLJs form in the Mid-Atlantic and subsequently impact boundary layer composition. This includes assessing the frequency, intensity, and spatial extent of LLJs and their interaction with other meteorological phenomena. This analysis incorporates statistical evaluations of multi-year datasets to identify trends in LLJ characteristics and their consequent effects on AQ. The study aims to enhance air quality forecasts by elucidating the spatiotemporal patterns of LLJs and their critical role in shaping boundary layer composition, by furthering our understanding of atmospheric dynamics and how LLJs affect pollution in the Mid-Atlantic region.