Some Air Pollution Aspects of the Los Angeles Temperature Inversion

Abstract

During research on air pollution in Los Angeles, various meteorological aspects of the problem have been studied. One of these was the derivation of a mathematical formula which combines measures of the stability, height, and thickness of the inversion layer to give an overall value for its intensity. This formula has been useful in describing inversions and in various correlation studies. A file of data on inversion conditions in the Los Angeles area has been accumulated in the course of the smog program. These data, which apply to mean inversion conditions from May through November, are interesting not only for the smog problem but also in evaluating the climate of the area. They should prove useful in other studies where an appreciation of the climatic nature of the inversion surface is required. The cycle of the inversion indicates that the base gradually lowers during the summer and early fall and that as early as June, inversions are present 90% of the time. The “smog season” generally coincides with the latter part of the inversion cycle.