Theoretical prediction of local ozone maxima associated with the passage of cold fronts

Abstract

This analysis involved the examination of a 72 hour simulation usign RADM 1.0. During this simulation ozone was observed to maximize along a surface cold front during the second night of the simulation and then propagate eastward. This study has given some insight into potential mechanisms operating in the natural environment that could be working to produce and/or maintain high concentrations of ozone. During the first day of the model run ozone maxima were formed and maintained in areas where dry deposition was limited by precipitation wetting the ground. Photochemical production was the major contributor of ozone but cloud mixing of high ozone air downwards and vertical diffusion also supplied ozone to these areas. On the second night of the simulation with the wave cyclone approximately in the center of the domain the ozone maxima formed previously were entrained into the area of the frontal zone. -from Authors