Exploring the Influence of Tropical Cyclones on Regional Air Quality Using Multimodal Deep Learning Techniques

Abstract

Tropical cyclones (TC) are dynamic atmospheric phenomena featuring extreme low-pressure systems and powerful winds, known for their devastating impacts on weather and the environment. The main purpose of this paper is to consider the subtle involvement of TCs in the air quality index (AQI), focusing on aspects related to the air quality before, during and after cyclones. This research employs multimodal methods, which include meteorological data and different satellite observations. Deep learning approaches, i.e., ConvLSTM, CNN and Real-ESRGAN models, are combined with a regression model to analyze the temporal variability in the air quality associated with tropical cyclones. Deep learning models are deployed to uncover complex patterns and non-linear interdependencies between cyclones’ features and the AQI to give predictive insights into the air quality fluctuations throughout the different stages of tropical cyclones. Furthermore, this study explores the aftermaths of TCs in terms of the air quality with respect to post-cyclone recovery. The findings offer an enhanced view of the role of TCs in the regional or global air quality, which will be useful for policymakers, meteorologists and environmental researchers. Utilizing a CNN for tropical cyclone (TC) classification and the extra trees regressor (ETR) for AQI prediction results in accuracy of 92.02% for the CNN and an $R^2$ of 83.33% for the ETR. Hence, this work adds to our knowledge and enlightens us on the complex interactions between TCs and the air quality, highlighting wider public health concerns regarding climate adaptation and urban renewal.