This work presents the results of observation and the numerical simulation relationship between columnar and surface aerosol optical properties. The presented data include sun photometer nephelometer, aethalometer, and ceilometer observation, as well as the Navy Aerosol Analysis and Prediction System (NAAPS) re-analysis obtained between 2013 and 2016. Measurements were made in Strzyzow station (south-eastern part of Poland), which belongs to the AERONET and Poland-AOD network. Observation and simulation data show that the correlation coefficient between aerosol optical depth and surface aerosol scattering coefficient depends on the averaging period. For the monthly mean both parameters are negatively correlated as a result of the seasonal variability of anthropogenic emission in Central Europe and long-range transport of natural aerosol, as well as the change of the meteorological conditions. Reduction of the averaging time leads to an increase in the correlation coefficient, which is almost zero for a 10-day period and 0.4 ± 0.05 when the six-hour data are selected. In addition, the correlation between columnar and surface aerosol optical properties shows significant variation with surface temperature gradient. During convective conditions the correlation coefficient between aerosol optical depth and aerosol scattering coefficient is as much as 0.89 ± 0.03 while during inversion it is approximately 0.48 ± 0.08.