LIDAR Observations of Aerosol Properties Over Tropical Urban Region—A Case Study During a Low-Pressure System Over Bay of Bengal

Variations in aerosol properties and ground-reaching solar irradiance over a tropical urban environment in Hyderabad, India, associated with a low-pressure system during December 3–10, 2008, over Bay of Bengal (BoB) were analyzed. Considerable variations in aerosol properties and ground-reaching solar irradiance due to changes in wind velocity and direction associated with the low-pressure system formed over southeast BoB were observed. Terra/Aqua Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer $\hbox{AOD}_{550}$ variations showed trends matching with ground observations. Nighttime Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) observations suggested considerable reduction in atmospheric particulate matter (PM) loading under the influence of low-pressure system. Results of the study have implications for monitoring urban air quality as synoptic weather systems are capable of modifying the atmospheric PM loading.