Role of synoptic meteorology in air pollution

• knowledge of the synoptic atmospheric environment is crucial to understand transport and dispersion of air pollutants
• this is particularly important for episode management [OH Boubel 5-2] - forecasting of stagnation conditions
• synoptic climatology techniques can be used to provide a basis for forecasting episodes
• also important for emergency response to accidental releases [OH Merilees and Pudykiewicz 13]