Monday, September 8, 2025

Hysplit: TRAJ.CFG

Understanding the HYSPLIT TRAJ.CFG Configuration File

The TRAJ.CFG file is a crucial configuration file that controls advanced settings for the HYSPLIT trajectory model. It defines how calculations are performed and what output is generated.

Here's a breakdown of the TRAJ.CFG file structure and parameters:

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&SETUP
 tratio = 0.75,
 delt = 0.0,
 mgmin = 10,
 khmax = 9999,
 kmixd = 0,
 kmsl = 0,
 kagl = 1,
 k10m = 1,
 nstr = 0,
 mhrs = 9999,
 nver = 0,
 tout = 60,
 tm_pres = 1,
 tm_tpot = 0,
 tm_tamb = 0,
 tm_rain = 0,
 tm_mixd = 0,
 tm_relh = 0,
 tm_sphu = 0,
 tm_mixr = 0,
 tm_dswf = 0,
 tm_terr = 0,
 tm_uwnd = 0,
 tm_vwnd = 0,
 dxf = 1.00,
 dyf = 1.00,
 dzf = 0.01,
 messg = 'MESSAGE',
 /

Parameter Explanations

Core Simulation Parameters

  • tratio = 0.75 - Time step ratio (stability factor). HYSPLIT adjusts its internal time step so an air parcel doesn't travel more than 75% of a grid cell in one step.
  • delt = 0.0 - Fixed time step (minutes). 0.0 means HYSPLIT uses variable time step controlled by tratio.
  • mgmin = 10 - Minimum number of grid cells for met data. Sanity check to prevent errors with bad met files.
  • khmax = 9999 - Maximum duration (hours) for a trajectory. 9999 means "no limit".

Vertical Motion & Starting Height

  • kmixd = 0 - Boundary Layer option. 0 = Ignore mixing depth.
  • kmsl = 0 - Input starting height reference. 0 = meters above ground level (AGL).
  • kagl = 1 - Output height reference. 1 = meters above ground level (AGL).
  • k10m = 1 - Use 10m meteorological data for surface-based trajectories.

Output Control

  • nstr = 0 - Number of special starting locations. 0 means not used.
  • mhrs = 9999 - Maximum duration for meteorological data. 9999 means "no limit".
  • nver = 0 - Vertical motion output flag. 0 = Do not include vertical velocity.
  • tout = 60 - Output frequency. 60 = Save trajectory position every 60 minutes.

Meteorological Output Variables (tm_ flags)

These control what additional meteorological data is written to the output file:

  • tm_pres = 1 - Pressure (hPa or mb) - INCLUDED
  • tm_tpot = 0 - Potential Temperature (K) - Excluded
  • tm_tamb = 0 - Ambient Temperature (K) - Excluded
  • tm_rain = 0 - Rainfall/Precipitation - Excluded
  • tm_mixd = 0 - Mixing Depth (m) - Excluded
  • tm_relh = 0 - Relative Humidity (%) - Excluded
  • tm_sphu = 0 - Specific Humidity (g/kg) - Excluded
  • tm_mixr = 0 - Water Mixing Ratio (g/kg) - Excluded
  • tm_dswf = 0 - Downward ShortWave Radiation Flux (W/m²) - Excluded
  • tm_terr = 0 - Terrain Height (m) - Excluded
  • tm_uwnd = 0 - U-Wind Component (m/s) - Excluded
  • tm_vwnd = 0 - V-Wind Component (m/s) - Excluded

Output File Scaling Factors

  • dxf = 1.00, dyf = 1.00 - Scaling factors for horizontal components of trajectory dispersion.
  • dzf = 0.01 - Scaling factor for vertical component of trajectory dispersion.

Log File Control

  • messg = 'MESSAGE' - Names the detailed log file generated by HYSPLIT.

Note: This configuration is set up for a standard, single, backward trajectory with output in meters AGL, saved every 60 minutes, with pressure as the only additional meteorological variable.

HYSPLIT TRAJ.CFG Configuration Guide | Understanding HYSPLIT Model Settings

Friday, August 1, 2025

Data: Canadian PM2.5 Observations

  1. https://cyclone.unbc.ca/aqmap
  2. https://cyclone.unbc.ca/aqmap/data/

Thursday, July 31, 2025

Data: GOES-16 True Color Images over Southern Manitoba

The active operational time range for GOES-16 as GOES-East was December 18, 2017, to April 4, 2025. During this period, it provided continuous imagery and data, including ABI (Advanced Baseline Imager) bands used for RGB composites like GeoColor, which you’re interested in.code. Tool.