An evaluation of the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) Models's performance in the planetary boundary layer and free troposphere using ozonesondes

Because of the general dearth of upper-air measurements, evaluations of the Community Multi-scale Air Quality model's ability to simulate ozone concentrations have historically focused on surface performance. These evaluations take advantage of extensive data sets offered by networks like CASTNet and EPA's AQS. While such analyses are essential in understanding and subsequently improving the model's performance, it is also important to examine the model's ability to simulate conditions aloft. Accordingly, this research will utilize data obtained from four ozonesonde sites (Trinidad Head, CA; Boulder, CO; Huntsville, AL and Wallops Island, VA) in order to evaluate the model's ability to simulate ozone concentrations as well as two meteorological parameters (temperature and relative humidity) in both the planetary boundary layer and the free troposphere. This analysis, which will cover the summer months from 2002 through 2006, will also examine the accuracy of both lateral and upper boundary conditions currently used in CMAQ.