Tracer Experiments - PCAPS Basic

Persistent Cold-Air Pool (PCAPS)

(Text extracted from University of Utah Meteorology Group's "Persistent Cold-Air Pool Study")

A three-year research grant has been received from the National Science Foundation to investigate the processes leading to the formation, maintenance and destruction of persistent mid-winter temperature inversions (cold-air pools) that form in the Salt Lake basin. These cold-air pools occur frequently in the western US and throughout the world and their initiation and breakup are quite difficult to forecast. Air pollution can reach unacceptably high levels in urban cold-air pools and that pollution can be transported away during their breakup leading to regional-scale air pollution episodes. In addition, fog and stratus can build up in the cold pool, which can contribute to hazardous episodes of persistent freezing rain, drizzle or fog affecting ground transportation and aviation.

Useful Links

• "Persistent Cold-Air Pool Study" from the University of Utah Meteorology Group
• "The Persistent Cold-Air Pool Study" by Lareau et al., 2013
• "The Persistent Cold Air Pool Study" presentation slide deck by Crosman et al. for the Western Air Quality Modeling Workshop, 2013
• "Persistent Cold-Air Pool Study (PCAPS)—A new field research program to be conducted in Utah's Salt Lake Basin" presentation video recording by Whiteman and Horel for the AMS 14th Conference on Mountain Meteorology, 2010

Note prepared by P. Zannetti (11/2022). For corrections or expansions please contact us.