Meteorology and pollution modeling in the Valley of Mexico

The Valley of Mexico, where Mexico City is situated, is surrounded by high mountains to the east, south and west and to the north by lower discontinuous ranges. More than 3.2 million vehicles burning over 44 million liters per day of gasoline and Diesel, plus industrial and commercial activities (responsible for about 30% of the GNP), generate particles and photochemical pollutants making Mexico City one of the most polluted cities in the world.

The combination of complex terrain that produces intricate flows and large amounts of emissions present a challenge for meteorology and air quality modelers. Modeling results, compared when possible with measurements, showing vertical circular patterns, local confluences, and interaction of the Valley of Mexico with its contiguous valleys will be presented. Also initial results from models using emission and transport by wind erosion will be shown.