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Model Development
Research Programs
Unlike meteorological modeling, air quality model development and assessments have not been able to benefit from repeated forecast applications that test the model under a variety of dynamical and chemical conditions. With a long-term air quality database built up from daily ozone and PM 2.5 forecasts, several important types of analyses may be performed. For one, we can learn from daily routine operations of national/regional air quality models to improve the chemical and physical processes within the CMAQ model. Generally regional atmospheric chemistry-transport models have not been run continuously under all types of meteorological regimes over many years. This type of operation will provide information on making the model’s algorithms more robust and scientifically appropriate to all meteorological and chemical regimes.
The figure below illustrates the functional components of the Eta-CMAQ Air Quality forecast system.
Air Quality Forecasting
Air Quality Forecasting DatabaseModel Development
National Weather Service Air Quality Forecasting
Real time NWS AQF Guidance Product
Real time AQF products at NCEP
Air Quality Forecasts Fully Operational In Northeast
It is anticipated that the Eta model will be replaced by the Weather Research and Forecasting model – Nonhydrostatic Mesoscale Model (WRF-NMM) in Fall 2005. Research is underway to develop linkages between the WRF-NMM and CMAQ. In parallel, several enhancements to the CMAQ model are also underway. Analysis of daily forecast results, continuously provide guidance on areas further model improvement and development. The research and development of the forecast version of CMAQ is synergistic with the community release version of CMAQ.