2014-02-19

Strong easterly wind and lots of particulate matter

Today, 19 February 2014, there has been a very high concentration of PM10 in Reykjavik, and other places in Iceland.

Very strong eastern winds been dominant today, and dry weather – till there was a little bit of flurries in Reykjavik in the afternoon – for instance.

image
The weather conditions at 17, still strong winds. Notice also the division in temperature, below zero in the northern part, and above zero in the southern part of the country.

image
Wind speed in Reykjavík. Notice that when the wind climes up around noon, we see a peak in the PM10 values. Around 16 there were some snow flurries, and that can also be seen in the PM10 values.

Particulate matter (PM10) concentration measured at Grensásvegur (GRE) went quite high today.

image
The highest value is about 2133 µg/m3!

 

There are also news about a lot of dust/ash being resuspended in the east, around Kirkjubæjarklaustur for instance:
Rykský yfir Kirkjubæjarklaustri

2014-02-11

… and the wind came to the rescue–PM concentration lower in the afternoon

As mentioned earlier today, our best chance of avoiding high levels of PM10 was that the wind would start blowing. And it did Bros

image

We can see that after 12 noon, and especially after 15:00, the wind speed (red line) and gusts (brown line) picked up.

The effect is easily seen on PM10 (blue line), and NOx (yellowish line).

image

It looks as we might exceed the health limit, 50 µg/m3 for 24-hour average?

Finally, below are plots of the number of cars driving west and east down Ártúnsbrekka – few kilometers from the measurement station.

West:

image

East:

image

Nice still weather, and a lot of particulate matter

Today is a very nice day here in Reykjavik. Weather is sunny, temperature just below freezing and very calm winds.

image

Windspeed in Reykjavik (data from the IMO). Since about 6 am the windspeed has very calm, under 2 m/s and no gusts.

This unfortunatly also means that the concentration of particulate matter is quite high; at the measurement station at Grensásvegur – at an intersection of two busy streets. The high levels are due to traffic. This is clearly seen by looking at NOx (orange line), which is emitted by cars, and PM10 (blue line).

image

It will be intersting how large the top will be in the afternoon. The only thing that can prevent high concentration is stronger wind or precipitation.