Variability of Saharan Cyclone Tracks, I: Climatology Study

Objectively, Saharan cyclones have been detected for the period from 1967 to 2019 using mean sea level pressure (SLP); their tracks have been specified from nearest neighbor cyclonic positions and classified into long/short tracks depending on the area of influence of the cyclones. Additionally, the detected long tracks have been objectively classified into five main routes directed generally eastward, northeastward and northward, accounting for approximately 41.6%, 19.7% and 30.4% of the total long tracks, respectively. Mainly for long tracks, three cyclogenesis areas, where more than 99% of cyclones are generated, were identified, with more than 61% generated in the Atlas region. Moreover, four far cyclolysis areas were identified, where approximately 74% of these cyclones terminated, with more than 66% of them terminating in the eastern study region. Furthermore, statistical analysis indicated that Saharan cyclones are commonly generated in the spring and summer, with ~35.3% and 46.3%, respectively. However, the highest numbers occur in spring in the northern Saharan and in summer in the southern Saharan, with ~49.1% and 57.7%, respectively. Temporally, the monthly distribution indicates that most of the cyclones moving along the five main routes are generated in warm months, namely, May to August. Approximately 85% of these cyclones have a lifespan of three days, while only 1% span more than five days.