Evaluation of Meteorological Variables’ Effects on PM10 Concentrations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

In this work, the level of inhalable coarse and fine particles (inhalable particulate matter with a diameter of 10 µm, PM10) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was measured in connection to various climatic variables. PM10 is a significant air pollutant that adversely affects human health and the environment. Understanding the effect of meteorological conditions on PM10 levels is crucial for developing effective air quality management strategies. This research employed statistical analysis to identify the key meteorological variables influencing PM10 concentrations in Riyadh, providing valuable insights for air quality improvement initiatives in the region. Data collected from January to December of 2023 is used in this study to investigate multiple PM10‐related issues, including correlations to meteorological metrics. The study results revealed that the average PM10 level in Al Muruj and Al Ghurabi was 75.73–346.00 μg/m 3 . There was a negative correlation ( r = −0.56) between temperature and wind speed (WS) and a positive correlation ( r = 0.46) between relative humidity (RH) and temperature. Polar plots over the winter months showed that winds coming from the west and southwest had the highest value at low WSs (< 2 m s −1 ) and the lowest value at high WSs (>3 m s −1 ). The relationship between various weather variables and PM10 levels was successfully illustrated using polar plots. Additional research on PM source distribution and modeling is necessary to support the establishment of an air quality index (AQI) and the development of a successful Riyadh air quality plan.