Energy conversions of a desert depression

Summary

This work is concerned with the energy conversions of a developing atmospheric system in subtropical regions. It deals, specifically, with a North African depression, which is known locally as Khamsin. This storm developed during the period from 1200 UTC 26 April to 1200 UTC 30 April 1982 and caused numerous sand storms in the area. Although its life cycle lasted about 5 days, its rapid development was associated with severe weather conditions over the southern Mediterranean coast. The vertical distribution and temporal variations of various components of the energy budget are presented in a detailed analysis. The energy contents and their changes in different atmospheric levels are discussed in the course of the cyclone’s development. By integrating over the entire volume of the computational area, the complete energy cycle of the cyclone is obtained and discussed within the framework of cyclone energetics.