Verification of a Three-Dimensional Transport Model Using Tetroon Data from Projects State and Neros

No general procedure is available for calculation of parcel trajectories that demonstrates consistent accuracy over a broad range of conditions. Many techniques exist (Pack et al., 1978; Hoecker, 1977; Peterson, 1966), but most have limitations such as being site-specific, being applicable under only certain meteorological conditions or times of day, relying on the synoptic-scale rawinsonde network for wind data or being applicable to only specific levels in the atmosphere. Peterson (1966) provides particularly interesting comparisons of trajectories calculated using a number of standard diagnostic techniques. In general, procedures that are relatively successful in some situations, provide poor trajectory estimates in other situations. It is also difficult to determine a priori which procedure will be best in a given case. Thus, there is a need for a general and reliable technique for atmospheric transport computations.