Detection and Numerical Simulation of Dust Storm in Kermanshah

This study aimed to identify the epicenter and co-occurrence factors of dust storm waves in Kermanshah from 16 to 18 June 2016. To investigate the synoptic conditions of the causes of this phenomenon, data set with a resolution of 0.125º arcs from the European Center for Medium-Term Atmospheric Prediction (ESMWF), including geopotential height at 500 hPa, omega at 700 hPa, sea level pressure, orbital components and meridian at 300 hPa level, specific moisture at 700 hPa level, soil moisture up to 10 cm depth and dust optical depth were used. To route, the origin of dust particles, the Lagrangian method of the HYSPLIT model was used 48 hours before the occurrence of dust phenomenon in Kermanshah at three altitude levels of 200, 1000, and 1500 m. The dust storm was also simulated using WRF-chem numerical weather forecasting model. Finally, through the processing of MODIS satellite images, its scope was determined. Examination of HYSPLIT tracking maps showed that the central and western deserts of Iraq and the Syrian are the main sources of dust for the study area. In synoptic conditions, simultaneously with the occurrence of rising dust, cyclonic systems play a significant role in the transmission of this phenomenon. Significant strengthening of the Iraqi low-pressure system along with the formation of traffic in the Zagros mountains has caused the creation and transfer of dust in the warm period of the year to the study area. The spatial distribution of the dust interpreted by the MODIS images is consistent with the spatial distribution of the dust concentration simulated by the WRF-chem model.