The Prediction and Verification of an Urban Air Quality Model for Ozone Forecasting over the Sydney Basin

The aim of this study was to test the air quality modelling system (HIRES-AIRCHEM) of The University of New South Wales particularly with regard to forecast ozone distribution. This was achieved by assimilating the New South Wales State EPA emissions inventory consisting of road and non-road sources and running the system over the Sydney metropolitan area for the four day period 25-28 February 1998. During this period ozone readings exceeded the EPA＇s goal of 80ppb on several occasions. The model forecasts of ozone distribution verified well with the EPA＇s ozone readings. This result has important implications for possible future use of the system as a tool for routinely assessing air quality.