Work

Characterizing the Impacts of 2024 Total Solar Eclipse Using New York State Mesonet Data

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: On 8 April 2024, a rare total solar eclipse (TSE) passed over western New York State (NYS), the first since 1925 and the last one until 2079. The NYS Mesonet (NYSM) consisting of 126 weather stations with 55 on the totality path provides unprecedented surface, profile, and flux data and camera images during the TSE. Here we use NYSM observations to characterize the TSE's impacts at the surface, in the planetary boundary layer (PBL), and on surface fluxes and CO 2 concentrations. The TSE‐induced peak surface cooling occurs 17 min after the totality and is 2.8°C on average with a maximum of 6.8°C. It results in night‐like surface inversion, calm winds, and reduced vertical motion and mixing, leading to the shallowing of the PBL and its moistening. Surface sensible, latent and ground heat fluxes all decrease whereas near‐surface CO 2 concentration rises as photosynthesis slows down.

Source: Geophysical Research Letters

DOI: 10.1029/2024gl112684

Authors: Junhong Wang, Aiguo Dai, Chau‐Lam Yu, Bhupal Shrestha, D. J. McGuinnes, Nathan Bain

Institutions: State University of New York, University at Albany, State University of New York

Language: English

Topic: Meteorological Phenomena and Simulations

Subfield: Atmospheric Science

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Climate action

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,900