The sensitivity of Western European NO 2 columns to interannual variability of meteorology and emissions: a model—GOME study

Interannual variability (IAV) in tropospheric species concentrations can be driven by variability in emissions, chemistry, transport and UV radiation. In a 3D CTM study we have found good agreement between the IAV of NO 2 columns observed by the GOME satellite instrument and model simulations over Western Europe from 1996 to 2000. We find that meteorological variability is an important factor during this period. Averaged 10 m wind speeds from the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) operational analysis are a good proxy for the overall meteorology driving the IAV during the studied period of 1996–2000. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society