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Air Resources LaboratoryAir Resources Laboratory Skip to content Facebook page opens in new windowX page opens in new window Search: Air Resources Laboratory Home AboutHistory of ARL ARL DivisionsAtmospheric Sciences Modeling Division Atmospheric Turbulence and Diffusion Division Special Operations and Research Division ARL Lab Reviews2022 Lab Review 2016 Lab Review 2011 Lab Review ARL Leadership Staff Directory Strategic Plan Contact Us Web Accessibility Privacy Policy News & PublicationsAir Resources Lab News Boundary Briefs Newsletters Publications Tech Memos Data and Publications Archive Strategic Plan ResearchSurface Atmosphere Exchange Atmospheric Transport and Dispersion Boundary Layer Characterization HYSPLIT Opportunities Home AboutHistory of ARL ARL DivisionsAtmospheric Sciences Modeling Division Atmospheric Turbulence and Diffusion Division Special Operations and Research Division ARL Lab Reviews2022 Lab Review 2016 Lab Review 2011 Lab Review ARL Leadership Staff Directory Strategic Plan Contact Us Web Accessibility Privacy Policy News & PublicationsAir Resources Lab News Boundary Briefs Newsletters Publications Tech Memos Data and Publications Archive Strategic Plan ResearchSurface Atmosphere Exchange Atmospheric Transport and Dispersion Boundary Layer Characterization HYSPLIT Opportunities The Air Resources Laboratory’s (ARL) mission is to improve the ability of the Nation to protect human and ecosystem health and to support a vibrant economy through advanced atmospheric sciences and technologies. ARL’s research focus is on the surface of the Earth from a few feet below the soil up to 2-3 miles in the atmosphere, known as the boundary layer, which has a direct impact on people’s health and safety, business, and the environment. ARL studies the physical and chemical processes that occur in the boundary layer, on time scales spanning a few hours to several years. ARL studies the mixing, exchange, and transformation of energy, moisture, trace gases and particles and contributes inputs to meteorological models and forecast operations that are vital in improving weather, climate and air quality forecasts. Primary applications include emergency response, homeland security, air quality, weather forecasts, climate outlooks, commerce and transportation. ARL’s vision is to effectively protect people, the environment, and commercial activities from atmospheric risks using the best available scientific understanding of boundary layer processes. Primary Research Areas Surface Atmosphere Exchange Research processes and variables controlling heat and water vapor exchanges between land and atmosphere Atmospheric Transport and Dispersion Research main processes that drive transport and dispersion in the atmosphere Improve the quality of and assess uncertainties/applicability of modeling tools Boundary Layer Characterization Improve accuracy of atmospheric models and other forecast and prediction tools to better understand the atmospheric boundary layer  Latest News HYSPLIT protects community from poisonous gases January 6, 2026 A 31-car train derailment on December 30 caused a highway shut down and shelter-in-place orders for a local community. ARL’s HYSPLIT model was there to help. ARL will be at AMS 2026 December 28, 2025 ARL will have 15 posters, oral presentations and session chairs at AMS 2026. If you’ll be there in January, please come to see us!  The ARL schedule can be found here. HYSPLIT modeling team addresses critical issues during government shutdown November 17, 2025 Emergency planners continued to use the HYSPLIT model without a stop during the government shutdown. ARL staff ensured that the vital information HYSPLIT provides continued to be available. NOAA Research NOAA Home US Dept. of Commerce Web Privacy Web Accessibility External Content Disclaimer FOIA COVID EEO Information Quality USA.GOV Footer Bar Website Maintained by ARL | ARL 2026 Go to Topenusen-US1772009641https://arl.noaa.gov