Regional Haze Guidance Documents A web page on the IMPROVE web site with links to various documents that describe the Regional Haze Rule guidance that was used to process the data.
Using the New IMPROVE Algorithm (Updated 8/07): Data aggregations, calculated variables and patched values in the daily values data sets were generated using the procedures from the Guidance for Tracking Progress Under the Regional Haze Rule
Baseline Haze Metrics for Best and Worst 20% Visibility Days 226 KB xls file with the means of the best 20% visibility days (G10), worst 20% visibility days (G90), and all visibility days (G100)for the 5 year Regional Haze Rule baseline period (2000-2004). The baseline values were calculated following the RHR guidance documents using the new IMPROVE algorithm both with and without the State supplied substituted data. Means for Best, Middle, and Worst 20% Visibility Days 900 KB csv file with the means of the best 20% visibility days (G10), middle 20% visibility days (G50) and worst 20% visibility days (G90). Daily Values Including Patched Values 28 MB csv file with the daily IMPROVE species mass concentrations and calculated aerosol mass and light extinction values. Also included are the patched values where applicable. .
Baseline Haze Metrics for Best and Worst 20% Visibility Days 226 KB xls file with the means of the best 20% visibility days (G10), worst 20% visibility days (G90), and all visibility days (G100)for the 5 year Regional Haze Rule baseline period (2000-2004). The baseline values were calculated following the RHR guidance documents using the new IMPROVE algorithm both with and without the State supplied substituted data.
Means for Best, Middle, and Worst 20% Visibility Days 900 KB csv file with the means of the best 20% visibility days (G10), middle 20% visibility days (G50) and worst 20% visibility days (G90).
Daily Values Including Patched Values 28 MB csv file with the daily IMPROVE species mass concentrations and calculated aerosol mass and light extinction values. Also included are the patched values where applicable. .
Using the Old IMPROVE Algorithm: (Updated 11/05)
Means for Best, Middle, and Worst 20% Visibility Days 900 KB csv file with the means of the best 20% visibility days (G10), middle 20% visibility days (G50) and worst 20% visibility days (G90). Daily Values Including Patched Values 28 MB csv file with the daily IMPROVE species mass concentrations and calculated aerosol mass and light extinction values. Also included are the patched values where applicable.
Daily Values Including Patched Values 28 MB csv file with the daily IMPROVE species mass concentrations and calculated aerosol mass and light extinction values. Also included are the patched values where applicable.
Means for Best, Middle, and Worst 20% Visibility Days 900 KB csv file with the means of the best 20% visibility days (G10), middle 20% visibility days (G50) and worst 20% visibility days (G90). These data aggregations were generated using the procedures from the Guidance for Tracking Progress Under the Regional Haze Rule.
Daily Values Including Patched Values 28 MB csv file with the daily IMPROVE species mass concentrations and calculated aerosol mass and light extinction values. Also included are the patched values where applicable. Calculated variables and patched values were generated using the procedures from the Guidance for Tracking Progress Under the Regional Haze Rule.
1-Yr Annual and Quarterly Means csv file with 1-yr annual and quarterly species mass concentrations and calculated aerosol mass and light extinction values. Also included are the patched values where applicable.
3-Yr Annual and Quarterly Means csv file with 3-yr running average annual and quarterly species mass concentrations and calculated aerosol mass and light extinction values. Also included are the patched values where applicable. Reported year is the midpoint of the 3-yr averaging window. At least 2 years valid data are required to calculate the 3-yr mean.
5-Yr Annual and Quarterly Means csv file with 5-yr running average annual and quarterly species mass concentrations and calculated aerosol mass and light extinction values. Also included are the patched values where applicable. Reported year is the midpoint of the 5-yr averaging window. At least 3 years valid data are required to calculate the 5-yr mean.
Header Description 18 KB excel file with descriptions of headers for the above two files. This includes parameter names as presented in the ASCII files and related parameter names in VIEWS, units, and calculation algorithms.
These data are used to generate some of the graphics presented in the Spatial Patterns, Composition, Trends, and Back Trajectories pages of the Annual Summary. The files here have data for the aerosol site (ASITE) and tracking progress site (TPSITE). Cases where the ASITE is different from the TPSITE are those where a Class I area designated as TPSITE uses aerosol data from a nearby Class I area designated as ASITE while using fRH from the TPSITE to calculate visibility metrics such as aerosol extinction and dv. Due to a possible bias in the pre 6/1996 nitrate data (see IMPROVE QA issues) the summary data are also reported with a constant particle NO3 value in metrics requiring particle NO3. These NO3 adjusted data are recommended for trend analysis prior to 2000, while the unadjusted data are recommended for use from 2000 on, or the period of Regional Haze Rule implementation.
Trends (5 Yr Rolling Avg) - Average Aerosol Components for 20% best, worst and middle visibility days (Update 4/03) Five year rolling annual average concentrations of the total fine (PM2.5) and coarse (PM2.5-PM10) mass and major fine aerosol types for the 20% best (Group 10), worst (Group 90) and middle (Group 50) visibility days. The fractional contribution of the aerosol types to the reconstructed fine aerosol mass is also provided. These data are for all IMPROVE sites with data from 1988 - 2001. These data were used to construct the long term aerosol trends. Data calculated using constant particle NO3 values can be obtained here. These trends were generated using the procedures from the Draft Guidance for Tracking Progress Under the Regional Haze Rule.
Trends (5 Yr Rolling Avg) - Average Light Extinction for 20% best, worst and middle visibility days (Update 4/03)Five year rolling annual averages of reconstructed light extinction and the light scattering of the major aerosol types for the 20% best (Group 10), worst (Group 90) and middle (Group 50) visibility days. The fractional contribution of aerosol type light scattering to reconstructed extinction is also provided. These data are for all IMPROVE sites with data from 1988 - 2001. These data were used to construct the long term reconstructed light extinction trends. Data calculated using constant particle NO3 values can be obtained here. These trends were generated using the procedures from the Draft Guidance for Tracking Progress Under the Regional Haze Rule.
Trends (1 Yr) - Average Aerosol Components for 20% best, worst and middle visibility days (Update 4/03) Annual average concentrations of the total fine (PM2.5) and coarse (PM2.5-PM10) mass and major fine aerosol types for the 20% best (Group 10), worst (Group 90) and middle (Group 50) visibility days. The fractional contribution of the aerosol types to the reconstructed fine aerosol mass is also provided. These data are for all IMPROVE sites with data from 1988 - 2001. These data were used to construct the long term aerosol trends. Data calculated using constant particle NO3 values can be obtained here. These trends were generated using the procedures from the Draft Guidance for Tracking Progress Under the Regional Haze Rule.
Trends (1 Yr) - Average Light Extinction for 20% best, worst and middle visibility days (Update 4/03)Annual averages of reconstructed light extinction and the light scattering of the major aerosol types for the 20% best (Group 10), worst (Group 90) and middle (Group 50) visibility days. The fractional contribution of aerosol type light scattering to reconstructed extinction is also provided. These data are for all IMPROVE sites with data from 1988 - 2001. These data were used to construct the long term reconstructed light extinction trends. Data calculated using constant particle NO3 values can be obtained here. These trends were generated using the procedures from the Draft Guidance for Tracking Progress Under the Regional Haze Rule.
These data were used to generate the graphics presented in the Diurnal Cycle, Spatial Patterns, and Long Term Trends summaries in the Archived Graphics section of the Annual Summary.
Trends (5 Yr Rolling Avg) - Average Aerosol Components for 20% best, worst and middle visibility days (Update 3/02) Five year rolling annual average concentrations of the total fine (PM2.5) and coarse (PM2.5-PM10) mass and major fine aerosol types for the 20% best, worst and middle visibility days. The fractional contribution of the aerosol types to the reconstructed fine aerosol mass is also provided. These data are for all IMPROVE sites with data from 1988 - 1998. These data were used to construct the long term aerosol trends. A fixed length ASCII file can be obtained here. These trends were generated using the procedures from the Draft Guidance for Tracking Progress Under the Regional Haze Rule.
Trends (5 Yr Rolling Avg) - Average Light Extinction for 20% best, worst and middle visibility days (Update 3/02) Five year rolling annual averages of reconstructed light extinction and the light scattering of the major aerosol types for the 20% best, worst and middle visibility days. The fractional contribution of aerosol type light scattering to reconstructed extinction is also provided. These data are for all IMPROVE sites with data from 1988 - 1998. These data were used to construct the long term reconstructed light extinction trends. A fixed length ASCII file can be obtained here. These trends were generated using the procedures from the Draft Guidance for Tracking Progress Under the Regional Haze Rule.
Trends (1 Yr) - Average Aerosol Components for 20% best, worst and middle visibility days (Update 3/02) Annual average concentrations of the total fine (PM2.5) and coarse (PM2.5-PM10) mass and major fine aerosol types for the 20% best, worst and middle visibility days. The fractional contribution of the aerosol types to the reconstructed fine aerosol mass is also provided. These data are for all IMPROVE sites with data from 1988 - 1998. These data were used to construct the long term aerosol trends. A fixed length ASCII file can be obtained here. These trends were generated using the procedures from the Draft Guidance for Tracking Progress Under the Regional Haze Rule.
Trends (1 Yr) - Average Light Extinction for 20% best, worst and middle visibility days (Update 3/02) Annual averages of reconstructed light extinction and the light scattering of the major aerosol types for the 20% best, worst and middle visibility days. The fractional contribution of aerosol type light scattering to reconstructed extinction is also provided. These data are for all IMPROVE sites with data from 1988 - 1998. These data were used to construct the long term reconstructed light extinction trends. A fixed length ASCII file can be obtained here. These trends were generated using the procedures from the Draft Guidance for Tracking Progress Under the Regional Haze Rule.
20% Worst Visibility Days (Update 3/02)Daily aerosol composite components and their contribution to light extinction for the 20% worst visibility days for each year from 1989 - 1999.
20% Best Visibility Days (Update 3/02)Daily aerosol composite components and their contribution to light extinction for the 20% best visibility days for each year from 1989 - 1999.
Annual and Seasonal Fine Mass CompositionAnnual and seasonal concentrations of the fine mass and major aerosol types aggregated over three years March 1996 - February 1999. The fractional contribution of each aerosol type to fine mass is also provided.
Annual and Seasonal Light Extinction BudgetAnnual and seasonal reconstructed light extinction and absolute and relative contribution from the major aerosol types during the three year period March 1996 - February 1999.
Monthly Fine Mass CompositionMonthly summary data of reconstructed fine mass (PM2.5) and major fine aerosol species, (ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, organics, light absorbing carbon, and fine soil. The data are aggregated over the 3 year period from March 1996 to February 1999. These data were used to create seasonal bar charts of the fine mass composition.
Monthly Light Extinction BudgetMonthly summary data of reconstructed aerosol extinction and species specific extinction for the fine aerosol species, ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, organics, light absorbing carbon, and fine soil combined with coarse mass. The data are aggregated over the 3 year period from March 1996 to February 1999. These data were used to create seasonal light extinction budget bar charts.
Light Extinction Diurnal CyclesHourly light extinction data from IMPROVE transmissometer sites for each season of the year. In addition, the hourly F(rh), RH and temperature are provided. The aggregation was performed over each sites entire time series. These data were used to create bext diurnal cycles.
Annual Fine Mass Group 10, 50, 90Annual Group 10, 50, 90 average concentrations of the total fine (PM2.5) and coarse (PM2.5-PM10) mass and major fine aerosol types. The fractional contribution of the aerosol types to the reconstructed fine aerosol mass is also provided. These data are for all IMPROVE sites with data from 1988 - 1998. These data were used to construct the long term trends aerosol trends. A fixed length ASCII file can be obtained here.
