A Comparison of Mesoscale Pressure Features Observed with Smartphones and Conventional Observations

Abstract

Abstract To examine the utility of smartphone pressure observations (SPOs), a climatology of mesoscale pressure features was developed to evaluate whether SPOs could better resolve mesoscale phenomena than existing surface pressure networks (MADIS). A comparison between MADIS and smartphone pressure analyses was performed by tracking and characterizing bandpass-filtered, mesoscale pressure features. Over the year 2018, nearly 3000 pressure features were tracked across the central and eastern United States. Pressure features identified by smartphone observations lasted, on average, 25 min longer, traveled 25 km farther, and exhibited larger amplitudes than features observed by MADIS. An examination of smartphone pressure features tracks by season and location found that almost all pressure features propagated eastward. With over 87% of observed pressure features associated with convection, the climatology of surface pressure features largely reflects the geographic and seasonal variation of mesoscale convection. Phase relationships between pressure features and other surface variables were consistent with those expected for mesohighs and wake lows. These results suggest that SPOs could enhance convective analyses and forecasts compared to existing surface networks like MADIS by better resolving mesoscale structures and features, such as wake lows and mesohighs. Significance Statement While smartphone pressure networks provide unprecedented observation coverage and density, it was unclear whether they can add value to existing surface pressure networks. This study addresses this question by developing a yearlong record of mesoscale pressure features over the eastern and central United States. Analysis of this record revealed that smartphone analyses better resolved mesoscale pressure features, especially across the central United States where existing surface pressure networks are sparser. Nearly all observed pressure features were observed near precipitation, with five in six associated with convection. Relationships between mesoscale pressure features and other surface state variables were consistent with those expected for mesohighs and wake lows.