Dust Storm Detection using Weather Rcscarch Forcast-CHEM Model and Aerosol Optical Depth Product Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectro Radiometer Sensor (Case Study: Kermanshah)

Due to its location in the Middle East, Iran is affected by its climatic and geological characteristics. Since one of the main sources of airborne particulate matter is desert, issues such as sandstorms, high concentrations of airborne particles, and reduced visibility are some of the major recent climate and meteorological problems in the country, especially in the western border provinces. The purpose of this study is to simulate the size of atmospheric dust particles to reveal the sources that send them to the western region of the country.

In this regard, numerical modeling and remote sensing methods were used for severe dust events in June 2016, November 2017, and October 2018. The data used include the weather codes of the synoptic station, the aerosol optical depth product of the moderate resolution imaging spectro radiometer sensor, and the National Centers for Environmental Prediction/NFL data for the implementation of the weather rcscarch forcast-CHEM  model.

The results showed that the outputs of the weather rcscarch forcast-CHEM numerical model in all three dust events, the regions located in the northwest of Iraq (border between Iraq and Syria), the regions of northern Saudi Arabia, and the eastern regions of Iraq are the main sources. Dust particles were detected in the study area. Dust originating from these areas in a northwest-southeast direction and with a significant spatial and temporal extent affects more than 3 days and the spatial expansion of western regions of Iran, especially Kermanshah.

Based on the results of this study, aerosol optical depth  images of the Modis sensor and simulation of the weather rcscarch forcast-CHEM model have an acceptable performance to identify the characteristics and sources of heavy dust entering the Kermanshah region.