scholarly journals Spatial and Temporal Variations in the Incidence of Dust Storms in Saudi Arabia Revealed from In Situ Observations

Geosciences ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Albugami ◽  
Steven Palmer ◽  
Jonathan Cinnamon ◽  
Jeroen Meersmans
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Dust Storm ◽  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Temporal Trends ◽  
Dust Storms ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Storm Events ◽  
The West ◽  
Wind Speeds ◽  
Over Time

Monthly meteorological data from 27 observation stations provided by the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME) of Saudi Arabia were used to analyze the spatial and temporal distribution of atmospheric dust in Saudi Arabia between 2000 and 2016. These data were used to analyze the effects of environmental forcing on the occurrence of dust storms across Saudi Arabia by considering the relationships between dust storm frequency and temperature, precipitation, and wind variables. We reveal a clear seasonality in the reported incidence of dust storms, with the highest frequency of events during the spring. Our results show significant positive relationships (p < 0.005) between dust storm occurrence and wind speed, wind direction, and precipitation. However, we did not detect a significant relationship with temperature. Our results reveal important spatial patterns, as well as seasonal and inter-annual variations, in the occurrence of dust storms in Saudi Arabia. For instance, the eastern part of the study area experienced an increase in dust storm events over time, especially in the region near Al-Ahsa. Similarly, an increasing trend in dust storms was also observed in the west of the study area near Jeddah. However, the occurrence of dust storm events is decreasing over time in the north, in areas such as Hail and Qaisumah. Overall, the eastern part of Saudi Arabia experiences the highest number of dust storms per year (i.e., 10 to 60 events), followed by the northern region, with the south and the west having fewer dust storm events (i.e., five to 15 events per year). In addition, our results showed that the wind speeds during a dust storm are 15–20 m/s and above, while, on a non-dust day, the wind speeds are approximately 10–15 m/s or lower. Findings of this study provide insight into the relationship between environmental conditions and dust storm occurrence across Saudi Arabia, and a basis for future research into the drivers behind these observed spatio-temporal trends.

scholarly journals On the role of dust storms in triggering atmospheric gravity waves observed in the middle atmosphere

2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (9) ◽  
pp. 1647-1654 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. K. Das ◽  
A. Taori ◽  
A. Jayaraman
Keyword(s):  
Gravity Waves ◽  
Dust Storm ◽  
Hot Spots ◽  
Middle Atmosphere ◽  
Thermal Structure ◽  
Dust Storms ◽  
Storm Events ◽  
Atmospheric Perturbations ◽  
Atmospheric Gravity

Abstract. Lower atmospheric perturbations often produce measurable effects in the middle and upper atmosphere. The present study demonstrates the response of the middle atmospheric thermal structure to the significant enhancement of the lower atmospheric heating effect caused by dust storms observed over the Thar Desert, India. Our study from multi-satellite observations of two dust storm events that occurred on 3 and 8 May 2007 suggests that dust storm events produce substantial changes in the lower atmospheric temperatures as hot spots which can become sources for gravity waves observed in the middle atmosphere.

scholarly journals Characteristics of dust storm events over the western United States

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 14195-14220 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Lei ◽  
J. X. L. Wang
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Dust Storm ◽  
Dust Storms ◽  
Satellite Observations ◽  
Western United States ◽  
Storm Events ◽  
Cold Fronts ◽  
Deep Blue ◽  
Modis Aod

Abstract. In order to better understand the characteristics of dust storm processes over the western United States, available dust storm events reported by media or recorded by NASA earth observatory are classified into four types based on the prevailing weather systems. Then these four types of dust storm events related to cold fronts, downbursts, tropical disturbances, and cyclogenesis and their selected typical representative events are examined to explore their identifiable characteristics based on in-situ and remote sensing measurements. We find that the key feature of cold front-induced dust storms is their rapid process with strong dust emissions. Events caused by rapid downbursts have the highest rates of emissions. Dust storms due to tropical disturbances show stronger air concentrations of dust and last longer than those caused by cold fronts and downbursts. Finally, dust storms caused by cyclogenesis last the longest. The analysis of particulate matter records also shows that the relative ratio of PM10 (size less than 10 μm) values on dust storm-days to non-dust storm-days is a better indicator of event identification compared to previous established indicators. Moreover, aerosol optical depth (AOD) measurements from both in-situ and satellite datasets allow us to capture dust storm processes. We show that MODIS AOD retrieved from the deep blue data better identify dust storm-affected areas and the spatial extension of event intensity. Our analyses also show that the variability in mass concentrations during dust storm processes captured only by in-situ observations is consistent with the variability in AOD from stationary or satellite observations. The study finally indicates that the combination of in-situ and satellite observations is a better method to fill gaps in dust storm recordings.

scholarly journals Evaluating MODIS Dust-Detection Indices over the Arabian Peninsula

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1993 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Albugami ◽  
Steven Palmer ◽  
Jeroen Meersmans ◽  
Toby Waine
Keyword(s):  
Land Cover ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Arabian Peninsula ◽  
Source Region ◽  
Temporal Trends ◽  
Dust Storms ◽  
Storm Events ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Airborne Dust ◽  
Land Cover Types

Sand and dust storm events (SDEs), which result from strong surface winds in arid and semi-arid areas, exhibiting loose dry soil surfaces are detrimental to human health, agricultural land, infrastructure, and transport. The accurate detection of near-surface dust is crucial for quantifying the spatial and temporal occurrence of SDEs globally. The Arabian Peninsula is an important source region for global dust due to the presence of extensive deserts. This paper evaluates the suitability of five different MODIS-based methods for detecting airborne dust over the Arabian Peninsula: (a) Normalized Difference Dust Index (NDDI); (b) Brightness Temperature Difference (BTD) (31–32); (c) BTD (20–31); (d) Middle East Dust Index (MEDI) and (e) Reflective Solar Band (RSB). We derive detection thresholds for each index by comparing observed values for ‘dust-present’ versus ‘dust-free’ conditions, taking into account various land cover settings and analyzing associated temporal trends. Our results suggest that the BTD (31–32) method and the RSB index are the most suitable indices for detecting dust storms over different land-cover types across the Arabian Peninsula. The NDDI and BTD (20–31) methods have limitations in identifying dust over multiple land-cover types. Furthermore, the MEDI has been found to be unsuitable for detecting dust in the study area across all land-cover types.

12. The Arab–Israeli Conflict

2019 ◽  
pp. 271-297
Author(s):  
Charles Smith
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
West Bank ◽  
The West ◽  
Realist Approach ◽  
Arab States ◽  
Arab Israeli Conflict ◽  
Yasser Arafat ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Peace Treaties ◽  
Oslo Agreement

This chapter discusses different aspects of the Arab–Israeli conflict over time — military, political, and economic. The first two decades of the Arab–Israeli conflict, often marked by armed hostilities, were notable for Arab refusal to recognize Israel's existence. Since the 1967 war, Arab states, specifically Syria and Saudi Arabia, have displayed willingness to recognize Israel, and two, Egypt and Jordan, have signed peace treaties; Yasser Arafat recognized Israel's right to exist in the 1993 Oslo agreement. In this regard, most Arab states have adopted a realist approach to the Arab–Israeli conflict, seeking coexistence based in part on acceptance of Israel's military supremacy. In contrast, Israel appears to insist on security through regional domination, coupled with retention of the West Bank as Greater Israel.

Impact of ventilation method on residential indoor PM dispersion during dust storm events in Saudi Arabia

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 191-208
Author(s):  
Amos Kalua ◽  
Soo Jeong Jo ◽  
Seyedreza Fateminasab ◽  
Sana’a Al-Rqaibat ◽  
Christoph Opitz
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Dust Storm ◽  
Storm Events ◽  
Ventilation Method

scholarly journals Tasman Sea biological response to dust storm events during the austral spring of 2009

2016 ◽  
Vol 67 (8) ◽  
pp. 1090 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Gabric ◽  
R. Cropp ◽  
G. McTainsh ◽  
H. Butler ◽  
B. M. Johnston ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dust Storm ◽  
Biological Response ◽  
Heavy Precipitation ◽  
Iron Bioavailability ◽  
Dust Storms ◽  
Storm Events ◽  
Dust Deposition ◽  
Austral Spring ◽  
Tasman Sea

During the austral spring of 2009 several significant dust storms occurred in south-east Australia including the so-called ‘Red Dawn’ event in late September. Estimates of 2.5 Mt total suspended particulate sediment lost off the Australian coast in the 3000km long dust plume make it the largest off-continent loss of soil ever reported. Much of this material was transported over the coastline of New South Wales and into the adjacent Tasman Sea. Long-term model simulations of dust deposition over the south-west Tasman Sea suggest the amount deposited during the spring of 2009 was approximately three times the long-term monthly average. Previous satellite-based analyses of the biological response of Tasman Sea waters to dust-derived nutrients are equivocal or have observed no response. Satellite-derived surface chlorophyll concentrations in the southern Tasman during the spring of 2009 are well above the climatological mean, with positive anomalies as high as 0.5mgm–3. Dust transport simulations indicate strong deposition to the ocean surface, which during both the ‘Red Dawn’ event and mid-October 2009 dust storm events was enhanced by heavy precipitation. Cloud processing of the dust aerosol may have enhanced iron bioavailability for phytoplankton uptake.

scholarly journals The March 2009 Dust Event in Saudi Arabia: Precursor and Supportive Environment

2013 ◽  
Vol 94 (4) ◽  
pp. 515-528 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. H. Alharbi ◽  
A. Maghrabi ◽  
N. Tapper
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Dust Storm ◽  
Outer Space ◽  
Dust Storms ◽  
Storm Event ◽  
Supportive Environment ◽  
Dust Storm Event ◽  
Jet Streak ◽  
Dust Load

A case study is presented of the environmental background for a massive Saudi Arabian dust storm event that took place on 10 and 11 March 2009. The dust storm was large enough to be clearly seen from outer space and caused a widespread heavy atmospheric dust load, very low visibility, total airport shutdown, and damage to vehicles and trees across northern and central parts of Saudi Arabia. The precursor and supportive environment for this dust storm outbreak are investigated, drawing upon routine synoptic data and satellite imagery. Analytical evidence is offered to suggest that this dust storm was triggered and sustained by a cold front passage coincident with the propagation of a preexisting intense upperlevel jet streak. The major plume of the 10 March 2009 dust storm originated from several rich dust source areas extending across two regions—the Qasim region and the Adibdibah and As-Summan Plateau region. The intensity and frequency of dust storms triggered from these active areas of dust emissions seem to be dominated by a response to the amount of precipitation during November and December.

scholarly journals Cornice dynamics and meteorological control at Gruvefjellet, Central Svalbard

2012 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 157-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Vogel ◽  
M. Eckerstorfer ◽  
H. H. Christiansen
Keyword(s):  
Air Temperature ◽  
Meteorological Factors ◽  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Crack Opening ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Storm Events ◽  
Winter Climate ◽  
Wind Speeds ◽  
Prevailing Wind Direction ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract. Cornice fall avalanches endanger life and infrastructure in Nybyen, a part of Svalbard's main settlement Longyearbyen, located at 78° N in the High Arctic. Thus, cornice dynamics – accretion, cracking and eventual failure – and their controlling meteorological factors were studied along the ridgeline of the Gruvefjellet plateau mountain above Nybyen in the period 2008–2010. Using two automatic time-lapse cameras and hourly meteorological data in combination with intensive field observations on the Gruvefjellet plateau, cornice process dynamics were investigated in larger detail than previously possible. Cornice accretion starts directly following the first snowfall in late September and October, and proceeds throughout the entire snow season under a wide range of air temperature conditions that the maritime winter climate of Svalbard provides. Cornice accretion is particularly controlled by distinct storm events, with a prevailing wind direction perpendicular to the ridge line and average wind speeds from 12 m s−1. Particularly high wind speeds in excess of 30 m s−1 towards the plateau ridgeline lead to cornice scouring and reduce the cornice mass both vertically and horizontally. Induced by pronounced air temperature fluctuations which might reach above freezing and lead to midwinter rainfall events, tension cracks develop between the cornice mass and the plateau. Our measurements indicate a linear crack opening due to snow creep and tilt of the cornice around a pivot point. Four to five weeks elapsed between the first observations of a cornice crack until cornice failure. Throughout the two snow seasons studied, 180 cornice failures were recorded, of which 70 failures were categorized as distinctive cornice fall avalanches. A clear temporal pattern with the majority of cornice failures in June was found. Thus only daily air temperature could determine avalanche from non-avalanche days. Seven large cornice fall avalanches reached the avalanche fans on which the Nybyen settlement is located. The size of the avalanches was primarily determined by the size of the cornice that detached. The improved process understanding of the cornice dynamics provides a first step towards a better predictability of this natural hazard, but also highlights that any type of warning based on meteorological factors is not an adequate measure to ensure safety of the housing at risk.

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