SENSITIVITY OF HYSPLIT BACK-TRAJECTORIES TO THE HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL RESOLUTION OF THE METEOROLOGICAL INPUT DATA
SU Lin
YUAN Zi-bing
Jimmy C.H.FUNG
DENG Xue-jiao
Alexis K.H.LAU
DENG Tao
WANG Nan
YIN Chang-qin
Abstract：In this study,backward particle dispersion modeling is conducted using the Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model for 2012 in the Pearl River Delta of China.The Global Data Assimilation System (GDAS) data with horizontal resolution of 0.5 degree and the output data from Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) model with horizontal resolution of 27 km are used to drive the HYSPLIT model,respectively.The results reveal that the applicability and reliability of GDAS data is dependent on seasons and synoptic conditions.The direction differences between GDAS and WRF output data generated trajectories are the largest in winter and spring when northerly and northeasterly winds prevail and the smallest in autumn when stable weather systems control the region.Most of trajectories generated from WRF output data transport to higher altitudes than those from GDAS data,due to the more convective boundary layer which the vertical velocity fields from WRF output data reflect.Five different kinds of synoptic conditions are identified which favor generation of large direction differences between trajectories,including continental highs,troughs and ridges,col pressure fields,tropical cyclones and cold fronts.Case studies suggest that in most situations,the large direction differences are mainly resulted from the height differences between trajectories generated from GDAS and WRF output data,and vertical details of input data are more crucial than horizontal details in generating HYSPLIT trajectories.
Keywords：Back-trajectorymeteorological input dataresolutionsensitivitysynoptic patterns
Publication Date：2016-01-01
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：14( 864-877 )