Characterizing Visibility in a Contrasting Climate of Indian Cities

The present study focused on understanding the factors influencing visibility and its characterization for Indian major cities experiencing varied climate. By analysing historical data of past five years (2016–2020), it is observed that visibility range in tropical wet and dry climate is found to be in the range of 2.92–7.15 km (represented by Kolkata, Bombay, Chennai and Bengaluru), arid steppe or dry climate (Delhi, Ahmedabad) in the range of 2.75 to 4.28 km, temperate dry winter warm summer in the range of 5.48–5.84 km (Coimbatore and Madurai) and 2.72 km in temperate dry winter hot summer (Lucknow). Analysis of the historical weather scenarios (smoke, haze, mist, hail and dust storm/sandstorm) revealed haze contributes significantly on the visibility reduction in Kolkata (72