Synoptic-Remote Sensing Analysis of Dust Storm Hormozgan Province (November 2016)

The phenomenon of dust is one of the unfavorable climatic changes and environmental consequences that have come out of our natural course in the last few years and we are witnessing the multiplicity of its occurrence in the Middle East region. The purpose of this study is synoptic investigation and remote sensing of Hormozgan dust phenomenon.

With the combined method of synoptic - remote sensing investigations, the conditions affecting the dust storm in Hormozgan province in November 2016 have been studied.

After investigating the horizontal visibility and wind direction and speed at ground level stations, the atmospheric surface re-analysis data were obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and they were used to investigate synoptic conditions and draw surface and upper levels weather maps in the Grads software. The dust was then detected using Modis satellite images (Aqua).

Under conditions where the Siberian high pressure is inclined to the west, the penetration and expansion of its tabs to the south of Iran causes a thermal contrast of about 35 degrees Celsius and increases the pressure gradient between the northeastern and southern regions of Iran. The winds caused by the Siberian high pressure due to passing over the dust sources (east and center of Iran and the deserts around Hormozgan province) cause the dust to rise from the mentioned areas and enter Hormozgan province. Remote sensing images confirm the direction of dust movement according to the airflow in the region and show that even this phenomenon has extended to the Oman Sea and the Persian Gulf.