CAMS on Air: Boreal winter 23/24

The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) routinely tracks key indicators of the composition of the atmosphere all around the globe, including surface air quality in Europe, smoke emissions from wildfires, and global concentrations of atmospheric pollutants and greenhouse gases, amongst others.During the boreal winter 23/24 (Dec-Jan-Feb), there were several relevant atmospheric composition related events. You can read this CAMS on Air edition here .

CAMS data in action – New CAMS Aerosol Alerts Service

In February 2024, CAMS launched its updated Aerosol Alerts Service , which can send alerts up to three days in advance when the amount of aerosol in the atmosphere for a particular region matches one of the three levels of alert – high, very high, and extreme. Users can register for free and customise their settings, to receive an email alerting them of any episode of increased aerosol optical depth or surface particulate matter concentration in the region of interest they define. You can find more information on this article on Aerosol Alerts Service .?

Fire season in the tropics

Several countries in South America have been experiencing significant wildfire activity in their territories. CAMS monitored wildfires closely, not only in South America but throughout the tropics.

More information on CAMS monitoring of wildfires in south America . ?

Air quality: Saharan dust intrusions over Europe and the Atlantic and a particulate matter episode in the Po Valley

As high atmospheric pressure stalled over most of Europe for several days, Northern Italy and the Balkans saw air quality levels degrading substantially in areas impacted by high anthropogenic emissions. CAMS forecasts reflected this situation, predicting particulate matter (PM10) daily maximum levels above 150 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) above 100 μg/m3 in Milano. This episode is explored in further detail in this publication. ?You can find more information on CAMS analysis of these recent Saharan dust episodes .

Laurence Rouil is the new CAMS director

Laurence Rouil succeeded Vincent-Henri Peuch as the director of CAMS, on 1 February 2024. Former Director of Strategy, Scientific Policy and Communications at France’s INERIS, Dr Rouil is a Doctor of Mathematics with a deep knowledge of the Service, including its work in Earth observation, atmospheric composition modelling, and data assimilation. Vincent-Henri Peuch will continue to work with the Copernicus services as ECMWF Director for Engagement with the EU in Bonn.?

More information on this new appointment and the efforts to ensure continuity . ?