Boundary Layer Structures Associated With High Winter Ozone Concentrations in the Uintah Basin

Ozone concentrations over twice the National Ambient Air Quality Standard were observed during February 2013 in the Uintah Basin, Utah with much lower concentrations observed at the same time of the year during 2014. These differences are attributable to the more extensive snow cover in 2013 compared to 2014. Aerosol backscatter data from a Vaisala CL-31 ceilometer are contrasted during those two winters. Alternating layers of high and low backscatter in the boundary layer associated with high and low pollutant concentrations respectively were observed during both winters. Depth of the boundary layer and wave structures in the stably-stratified layers above the surface cold-air pool are compared as a function of the underlying snow cover.