Kaskaoutis. D.G., Rashki A., Houssos E.E., Mofidi A. and Bartzokas A. (2014)
In the proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Meteorology, Climatology and Atmospheric Physics, Heraclion, Crete, Greece, May 2014
Abstract
The present work focuses on examining the synoptic and dynamic meteorological conditions associated with dust-storm outbreaks in the Sistan region, southeastern Iran during the summer season (June-September) for the years 2001 to 2012. The dust-storm days (total number of 356) are related to visibility records below 1 km at Zabol meteorological station, located well within the dust source region. RegCM4 model simulations reveal that the local intense Levar wind, blowing from northern directions during the summer season, plays a major role in dust outbreaks. Furthermore, the high surface heating and the valley-like characteristics of the region strongly influence the meteorological dynamics, the Levar wind and the formation of a low-level jet over the region that are strongly linked with dust exposures. NCEP/NCAR reanalysis reveals that the dust storms are associated with low sea-level pressure conditions over the whole south Asia during summer, while at 700 hPa a trough of low geopotential heights over India along with a ridge over Arabia and central Iran is the most common scenario.