SHARP climatology and its impact on ozone profiles

This study reviews the general meteorology during the recent SHARP (Study of Houston Atmospheric Radical Precursors, April 15 – May 31, 2009) campaign, identifying the timing of frontal passages, and the origins of the transported air masses behind them. Time series of temperature, wind speed / direction, moisture, and pressure illustrate the meteorological conditions throughout the campaign. The impact of different meteorological regimes on ozone profiles is assessed using the weather cluster analysis system of Ngan and Byun (2008). In addition, profile changes from before to after a frontal passage are also assessed and a determination of descending stratospheric air influences on surface ozone concentrations is made. The same analysis will be done on the larger Tropospheric Ozone Pollution Project (TOPP) data set (2004 – 2009) to provide a historical context for the campaign data.