A performance evaluation of MM5/MNEQA/CMAQ air quality modelling system to forecast ozone concentrations in Catalonia

We examine the ability of a modelling system to forecast the formation and transport of ozone over Catalonia, at the NE of the Iberian Peninsula. To this end, the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) modelling system developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and the PSU/NCAR mesoscale modelling system MM5 are coupled to a new emission model, the Numerical Emission Model for Air Quality (MNEQA). The outputs of the modelling system for the period from May to October 2008 are compared with ozone measurements at selected air-monitoring stations belonging to the Catalan Government. Results indicate a good behaviour of the model in reproducing diurnal ozone concentrations, as statistical values fall within the EPA and EU regulatory frameworks.