Changes of electric field, aerosol, and wind covariance in different blowing dust days in West Texas

Abstract

• Dust events influence the atmospheric vertical electric field ( E z ). • Not all dust events generate similar E z value, with similar relationship to PM 2.5 . • . E z associated with a reduction of visibility and an increase wind speed and gust. • Opposite pattern between winds and E z were observed at higher frequencies. Blowing dust events are common meteorological phenomena that can influence the atmospheric vertical electric field ( E z ). In this work we examine different local blowing dust days in Lubbock, Texas in order to understand their impact on the local vertical electric field, and the relationships of the vertical E z to horizontal wind speeds, visibility, relative humidity, temperature and PM 2.5 (particles with aerodynamic diameter <2.5 μm). All blowing dust days had an increase in E z , but they did not generate similar E z patterns. Several of the blowing dust days had an expected increase in E z with a reduction of visibility and an increase in PM 2.5 , wind speed, or wind gusts. But others were more complex without a direct relationship between E z and PM 2.5 . Variability of E z at different time scales was examined, including correlation tests with wind speed, visibility, PM 2.5 , temperature, or relative humidity for each blowing dust event and overall. The complexity found, including a decorrelation time scale between wind speeds and E z at relatively high frequencies, emphasizes the sensitivity of the dust events in this region and the dependence on the analysis interval used in this study.