The spatial variation of ozone climatology on the Western slope of the Sierra Nevada

The spatial variability of ozone climatology is described for six remote sites on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada. A statistical analysis was applied to determine relationships between ozone concentrations and atmospheric variables, as well as relationships among sites. The sites, whose locations vary in latitude, elevation, and topography, show considerable variability in climatological patterns and statistics. However, the stations fall into two general groups: those with a distinct diurnal ozone pattern and those with a flat diurnal ozone pattern. Diurnal variations among sites appear to depend primarily on topographic setting rather than on remoteness from urban sources.