Trends of Planetary Boundary Layer Height over megacity Delhi, India during 1980 – 2022

  • Shubham Kela Department of Civil Engineering, School of Technology Pandit Deendayal Energy University, Gandhinagar, India
  • Anurag Kandya Department of Civil Engineering, School of Technology Pandit Deendayal Energy University, Gandhinagar, India
  • Viral Patel Department of Civil Engineering, School of Technology Pandit Deendayal Energy University, Gandhinagar, India

Abstract

Planetary boundary layer height (PBLH) is a key factor affecting the air quality. The present study examines 43 years of PBLH variations over Delhi, India, from 1980 to 2022 using MERRA-2 data. Statistical analyses reveal significant decreasing trends in annual PBLH (-9.37 m/year), daytime (-8.13 m/year), and nighttime (-11.06 m/year) both at 99.9% confidence level. PBLH anomalies shifted from largely positive (0-233m) in 1980-2007 to negative (-341 to 0 m) in 2008-2022. Shallower PBLH (<500 m) emerged post-2008, while deeper PBLH (>2,500 m) vanished after 2013. These findings would be significant for strengthening the city’s air action plan.
Published
2025-11-15
How to Cite
Kela, S., Kandya, A., & Patel, V. (2025). Trends of Planetary Boundary Layer Height over megacity Delhi, India during 1980 – 2022. Vayumandal, 50(1), 61-74. Retrieved from https://vayumandal.imetsociety.org/index.php/Vayumandal/article/view/213
Issue
Vol 50 No 1 (2024): Vayumandal
Section
Research Paper

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