Characterization of evening temperature inversions in Allegheny County Pennsylvania

Temperature inversions in the atmospheric boundary layer are associated with stagnant air masses that help trap air pollutants near the earth’s surface, which have been linked to adverse health events. The aim of this study was to use meteorological data from Allegheny County from 2009 to 2014 to identify days in which evening temperature inversion were present; the depth and strength of each inversion was also calculated and summarized with the goal of assisting future efforts to develop more accurate meteorological models for these phenomena. Future epidemiological goals using the results of this study will be used to determine whether temperature inversions are associated with increased pollutant concentrations and short-term adverse health events in the region, which is of public health importance. This is in keeping with the Allegheny County Health department’s ongoing efforts to minimize the effects on air pollutants on vulnerable populations in the region