Performance of the Bulgarian WRF-CMAQ modelling system for three subdomains in Europe

Abstract

The air quality modelling system WRF-CMAQ running at the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (NIMH) in Sofia was applied to the European domain for the year 2010 in the frame of the Air Quality Model Evaluation International Initiative (AQMEII), Phase 2. The model system was set up for a domain of 5000x5000 km2 size with horizontal resolution of 25 km. The models’ options used and the emission input are briefly outlined. The model performance was investigated based on graphical plots and statistical indexes obtained by the web-based model evaluation platform ENSEMBLE. A preliminary operational model evaluation for ozone and particulate matter was conducted, comparing simulated and observed concentrations at ground level in three sub-domains of Europe. The analysis shows model overestimation for ozone and model underestimation for particulate matter. The best statistical indicators are for ozone concentrations during summer, when comparing data for EMEP stations in the EU domain. The worse results are for PM10 winter concentration in the region of the Balkan countries.