The motivation for the present study arose from the need to understand the role of the atmosphere in determining air pollution levels observed in Arequipa, the second largest Peruvian city, in southern Peru. The completion of this field experiment was thanks to the united efforts of The Peruvian National Weather Service office in Arequipa (Servicio Nacional de Meteorología e Hidrología-Arequipa or SENAMHI-Arequipa), who had made pilot balloon observations since late 2002, first as part of the SALLJEX and then continued as part of the PACS-SONET. An initiative by the SENAMHI-Arequipa office ("Monitoreo meteorológico y caracterización vertical de la tropósfera baja, en la cuenca atmosférica de la Ciudad de Arequipa") obtained funds to carry out a study of the atmospheric conditions associated with air pollution in Arequipa, and personnel of the PACS-SONET (Pan American Climate Studies Sounding Network) were approached to help provide support for this activity. Since a major part of the PACS-SONET has been focused in capacity-building actvities, the project lent its support to the activity. In addition to capacity building among the Arequipa participants, routine pilot balloon observations will continue as part of this project over the next year, which will expand the data set available for climate and weather studies in the region.

This website presents the information related to an intensive 4-day field program carried out in May 2006. Observations were made at 3 pilot balloon stations and with one tethered balloon system. The objective of the study was to describe the diurnal variation of the windfield and atmospheric stability about Arequipa.

This website provides information related to the participants, the experimental design, the pilot balloon and tethersonde data - which can be fully downloaded, shows graphics (maps, averages and time series), and describes very preliminary conclusions from the experiment. A photo album of the experimental activities is also provided.

Participants in the activity are encouraged to send digital images taken during the field campaign and to provide any other information that can help to improve the overall content of this website.