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Surface weather observations of atmospheric dust over the southwest summer monsoon region

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Summary

Surface weather observations are analyzed to investigate the temporal and spatial distributions of dust loading associated with the southwest Indian summer monsoon region. The 1979 annual distribution of dust days for the region 10°N-37°N and 35°E-90°E are presented. Five year composites of dust loading for the months May, June and July are derived. Results are analyzed with respect to preferred wind direction and wind speed associated with dust loading, potential source regions and regions of deposition. A case study of the meteorological conditions of a dust outbreak that occurred over the Arabian Peninsula in June of 1979 is given. Rawinsonde temperature observations are analyzed to locate the top of the dust layer over the Rub al Khali desert. The top of the dust layer was found to vary from 400 mb during the summer to 600 mb in the late spring and early fall.

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Ackerman, S.A., Cox, S.K. Surface weather observations of atmospheric dust over the southwest summer monsoon region. Meteorl. Atmos. Phys. 41, 19–34 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01032587

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01032587

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