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Analysis of sand and dust storm events over Saudi Arabia in relation with meteorological parameters and ENSO

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Abstract

Sand and dust storm (SDS) events are closely associated with meteorological parameters. This study aims to analyze SDS events in relation to temperature, precipitation, and wind speed. In addition, since El Nino–Southern Oscillation Index (ENSO) cycle has a great impact on precipitation and temperature, the relationship between SDS events and ENSO cycles are also investigated. For this purpose, data for 30 years (1985–2014) from relevant organizations are retrieved and analyzed. Results of the study show that SDS, precipitation, and wind speed have a decreasing trend while temperature has an increasing trend in the KSA during the study period. The results of the study also reveal that SDS events have the highest correlation with temperature and lowest correlation with precipitation. Furthermore, the relationship between SDS events and ENSO shows that El Nino was dominant during the first two decades of the study period while La Nina prevailed in the last decade of the study period. It is envisaged that the outcome of the current endeavor will be very useful for aerosol-related research both at regional and at a global scale.

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Acknowledgments

The authors, therefore, acknowledge with thanks the DSR technical and financial support.

Funding

This project was funded by the Deanship of Scientific Research (DSR), King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, under grant No. G-193-155-1439.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Meteorology, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia

    Abdulhaleem H. Labban & Mohsin Jamil Butt

Authors
  1. Abdulhaleem H. Labban
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  2. Mohsin Jamil Butt
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Contributions

M J Butt designed the proposed study. A H Labban collected SDS, atmospheric pressure, and meteorological data of 25 ground stations in the KSA. M J Butt and A H Labban contributed to the SDS, pressure, and meteorological data analysis. M J Butt prepared the manuscript with contributions from A H Labban.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mohsin Jamil Butt.

Additional information

Responsible Editor: Amjad Kallel

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Labban, A.H., Butt, M.J. Analysis of sand and dust storm events over Saudi Arabia in relation with meteorological parameters and ENSO. Arab J Geosci 14, 22 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-020-06291-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-020-06291-w

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