Concurrent Heat Waves and Extreme Ozone (O 3 ) Episodes: Combined Atmospheric Patterns and Impact on Human Health

Kenza Khomsi, Youssef Chelhaoui, Soukaina Alilou, Rania Souri, Houda Najmi and Zineb Souhaili
Additional contact information
Kenza Khomsi: General Directorate of Meteorology, B.P. 8106, Casablanca P.O. Box 5696, Morocco
Youssef Chelhaoui: General Directorate of Meteorology, B.P. 8106, Casablanca P.O. Box 5696, Morocco
Soukaina Alilou: Department of Hydraulics Environment & Climate, Hassania School for Public Works, Casablanca P.O. Box 5696, Morocco
Rania Souri: Department of Hydraulics Environment & Climate, Hassania School for Public Works, Casablanca P.O. Box 5696, Morocco
Houda Najmi: General Directorate of Meteorology, B.P. 8106, Casablanca P.O. Box 5696, Morocco
Zineb Souhaili: Laboratory of Chemistry-Biochemistry, Environment, Nutrition and Health, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University, Ain Chock, Casablanca P.O. Box 5696, Morocco

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 5, 1-15

Abstract: More recurrent heat waves and extreme ozone (O 3 ) episodes are likely to occur during the next decades and a key question is about the concurrence of those hazards, the atmospheric patterns behind their appearance, and their joint effect on human health. In this work, we use surface maximum temperature and O 3 observations during extended summers in two cities from Morocco: Casablanca and Marrakech, between 2010 and 2019. We assess the connection between these data and climate indices (North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), Mediterranean Oscillation (MO), and Saharan Oscillation (SaO)). We then identify concurrent heat waves and O 3 episodes, the weather type behind this concurrence, and the combined health risks. Our findings show that the concurrence of heat waves and O 3 episodes depends both on the specific city and the large-scale atmospheric circulation. The likely identified synoptic pattern is when the country is under the combined influence of an anticyclonic area in the north and the Saharan trough extending the depression centered in the south. This pattern generates a warm flow and may foster photochemical pollution. Our study is the first step toward the establishment of an alert system. It will help to provide recommendations for coping with concurrent heat waves and air pollution episodes.

Keywords: heat wave; ozone episode; North Atlantic Oscillation; Mediterranean Oscillation; Saharan Oscillation; human health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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