Continuous integrated monitoring of meteorological conditions and air quality dynamics in the urban core of Plovdiv, Bulgaria
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Date
2025-12-01
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Publisher
Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski"
Abstract
This study provides a comprehensive three-year analysis (2023–2025) of meteorological conditions and air quality parameters in the city of Plovdiv, Bulgaria. The research examines the interactions between temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind characteristics, and fine particulate matter concentrations (PM₂.₅), with the goal of improving the understanding of local atmospheric dynamics and pollution patterns. Recorded temperatures ranged from −7.0°C to 40.4°C. The highest pollution episodes were consistently observed during the coldest months, largely due to intensified household heating combined with reduced atmospheric dispersion under stable winter conditions. Wind speed and direction analyses revealed a significant influence on pollutant dispersion, with lower wind speeds promoting the accumulation of airborne particles, particularly in the city’s low-lying zones. Precipitation intensity varied considerably across the study period, with the most intense events reaching up to 94.73 mm/h. These episodes were associated with temporary reductions in airborne particle concentrations due to effective washout processes. Overall, the results demonstrate a strong interdependence between meteorological variability and air pollution dynamics in Plovdiv.
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Keywords
open monitoring network, meteorology, precipitation, wind, extreme events, IoT