HYSPLIT Trajectories

Harnessing HYSPLIT for Advanced Forecasting

FORCE leverages the advanced HYSPLIT (Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory) model to deliver accurate and reliable forecasting and analysis. Developed by the NOAA Air Resources Laboratory (ARL), HYSPLIT is a powerful tool for modeling the movement of pollutants and air parcels. This versatile model enables us to calculate the dispersion of gases and particulate matter (such as ash) and trace air trajectories both forward and backward in time.

Versatile Applications Across Scales

Thanks to its flexibility, HYSPLIT can operate on both global and regional scales, making it suitable for a broad range of applications. These include modeling phenomena like wildfires, dust events, volcanic eruptions, and even radioactive releases. Whether it's studying large-scale atmospheric events or more localized occurrences, HYSPLIT provides the precision needed to understand and predict atmospheric behavior.

FORCE and HYSPLIT: A Powerful Partnership

FORCE, utilise HYSPLIT’s capabilities to conduct in-depth simulations and offer tailored insights for diverse environmental and research applications. From dispersion modeling to back trajectory analysis, HYSPLIT is an invaluable resource in our forecasting toolkit.

Caption: a hypothetical volcanic eruption simulated by HYSPLIT, showing ash dispersed from a 15 km-high plume in Iceland towards the UK. The plot shows “total column mass”, a key variable for aviation authorities - it suggests where aircraft are at risk from the effects of ash.