Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Investigation on dynamical structure and moisture sources of heavy precipitation in south and south-west of Iran

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Arabian Journal of Geosciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to study the structure and mechanism of heavy precipitation systems on the Arabian Peninsula and Iran and what is role of hot seas on providing moisture to these systems. To this end, precipitation data from 45 stations in the region during the period 1982–2017 were extracted. Based on local indices, the rainfall threshold of 30 mm was selected as the heavy rainfall criterion. By this criterion, 92 single-day systems with heavy rainfall were identified. By visual inspection of different atmospheric levels maps, one sample that comprised more than 80% of the samples were selected as the dominant model. The vertical structure and the moisture flux of this pattern were plotted in three boxes (system motion path). The results of this study showed that high humidity systems are supplied from three regions. In the first box (Sudan), the highest moisture advection in the lower troposphere comes from Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), the Indian Ocean, and the Arabian Sea; at second box comes from the Red Sea, Arab, and Oman; and the at third box comes from the Persian Gulf. The new finding of this research is the identification of a front line. This front line is caused by cold advection of polar side latitudes by a deep trough in the eastern Mediterranean and warm and humid advection of the southern warm seas, while so far it is thought that convection phenomenon to be the main cause of heavy rainfall and flooding in this region.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Almazroui M, Awad AM (2016) Synoptic regimes associated with the eastern Mediterranean wet season cyclone tracks. Atmos Res 180:92–118

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alpert P, Neeman BU, Shay-El Y (1990) Intermonthly variability of cyclone tracks in the Mediterranean. J Clim 3(12):1474–1478

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alpert P, Osetinsky I, Ziv B, Shafir H (2004) A new seasons definition based on classified daily synoptic systems: an example for the eastern Mediterranean. Int J Climatol 24(8):1013–1021

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borzoi F, Azizi G (2015) Suggesting a simple criterion to estimate heavy rainfall in Iran. Phys Geogr Res Q 47(3):347–365

    Google Scholar 

  • Dayan U, Ziv B, Margalit A, Morin E, Sharon D (2001) A severe autumn storm over the middle-east: synoptic and mesoscale convection analysis. Theor Appl Climatol 69(1–2):103–122

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Draxler RR, Hess GD (1997) Description of the HYSPLIT_4 Modeling System. NOAA. Tech. Memo. ERL ARL-224, NOAA Air Resources Laboratory, Silver Spring, Maryland, pp 1–24

  • Draxler RR, Stunder B, Rolph G, Stein A, Taylor A (2014) HYSPLIT4 user’s guide, version 4.9, September 2009. Air Resources Laboratory, College Park

  • El-Fandy MG (1946) Barometric lows of Cyprus. Q J R Meteorol Soc 72(314):291–306

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • El-Fandy MG (1948) The effect of the Sudan monsoon low on the development of thundery conditions in Egpyt, Palestine and Syria. Q J R Meteorol Soc 74(319):31–38. https://doi.org/10.1002/qj.49707431904

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • El-Fandy MG (1950a) Troughs in the Upper Westerlies and cyclonic developments in the Nile Valley. Q J R Meteorol Soc 76(328):166–172

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • El-Fandy MG (1950b) Effects of topography and other factors on the movement of lows in the Middle East and Sudan. Bull Am Meteorol Soc 31(10):375–381

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • El-Fandy MG (1952) Forecasting thunder-storms in the Red Sea. Bull Am Meteorol Soc 33(8):332–338

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Farajzadeh, M., Karimi Ahmadabad, M., Ghaemi, H., Mobasheri, M.R(2007) Studying the moisture flux over west of Iran: a case study of January 1 to 7, 1996 Rain Storm Journal of Applied Sciences. Vol. 7. PP. 3023–3030

  • Flohn H (1965a) Contributions to a synoptic climatology of North-East Africa. World Meteorological Organization, Tech Notes 69:236–244

  • Flohn H (1965b) Studies on the meteorology of tropical Africa, Part A: climatic anomalies in the Red sea. Bonner Met Abhandl 3:–35

  • Hafez Y (2012) Variability of Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and extreme weather events. Atm Mod App:111–136. https://doi.org/10.5772/33809

  • Halabian AH, Hosseinalipour Jazi F (2016) Synoptic analysis of climatic hazards in southwestern Iran (case study: flood generating heavy precipitation of Azar 1391). J Spat Anal Environ Hazards 2(4):31–46. https://doi.org/10.18869/acadpub.jsaeh.2.4.31

  • Hejazizadeh Z, Zeaiean P, Karimi M, Rafati S (2015) Analysis of spatial and temporal patterns of convective systems with precipitation of more than 10mm. Geogr Dev Iran J 13(39):93–106. https://doi.org/10.22111/gdij.2015.2007

  • Johnson DH (1965) African synoptic meteorology. Meteorology and the desert Locus. World Meteorological Organization. Tech Notes (69):48–90

  • Kahana R, Ziv B, Dayan U, Enzel Y (2004) Atmospheric predictors for major floods in the Negev desert, Israel. Int J Climatol 24(9):1137–1147 https://rmets.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/joc.1056

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karimi, M(2007) The analysis of resources of precipitation moisture in Iran PhD. Thesis in natural geography. Supervisor Professor Manuchehr Farajzadeh. College of Human Sciences. Tabiat Modares University

  • Karimi M, Farajzadeh M (2011) Moisture flux and spatio-temporal patterns of resources of precipitation moisture of Iran. J Appl Res Geogr Sci 19(22):109–127

    Google Scholar 

  • Karimi M, Khoshakhlagh F, Bazgir S, Jafari M (2017) The influence of lower tropospheric circulation of Arabian high pressure on iran. Precipitation Phys Geogr Res 48(4):587–569

    Google Scholar 

  • Krichak SO, Alpert P, Krishnamurti TN (1997) Red Sea trough/cyclone development numerical investigation. Meteorog Atmos Phys 63(3–4):159–169. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01027382

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lashkari H (2000) The development mechanism of the Red Sea Convergence Zone. Geogr Res Q 15(4–3):184–167

    Google Scholar 

  • Lashkari H (2003) Synoptic patterns of heavy rainfalls in southwest of Iran (Doctoral dissertation, Ph. D. dissertation in Physical Geography. Tehran, Tarbiat Modarres University). Google Scholar

  • Lashkari H, Mohammadi Z (2015) The effect of the location of the Arabian subtropical high pressure on the precipitation systems in the south and southwest of Iran. Res Nat Geogr 47(1):73–90 http://www.sid.ir/En/Journal/ViewPaper.aspx?ID=461521Google Scholar

    Google Scholar 

  • Lashkari H, Mohammadi Z (2018) Study on the role of annual movements of Arabian subtropical high pressure in the late start of precipitation in southern and southwestern Iran. Theor Appl Climatol 137(3-4):1–8. 2069-2076. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00704-018-2716-x

  • Lashkari H, Matkan A, Mohammadi Z (2016a) Local and time changes over a 66-year period and annual relocation of Saudi Arabian subtropical high pressure. Open J Geol 6:1080–1095. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojg.2016.69081

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lashkari H, Matkan A, Azadi M, Mohammadi Z (2016b) Synoptic analysis of Arabian subtropical high pressure and subtropical jet stream in shortest period of precipitation in south and south west of Iran. Environ Sci 14(4):59–74

    Google Scholar 

  • Lashkari H, Matkan AA, Azadi M, Mohammadi Z (2017) Synoptic analysis of the role of Saudi Arabia subtropical high pressure subtropical and polar jet streams and severe droughts in south and south west of Iran. J Res Earth Sci 8(2):141–163

    Google Scholar 

  • Mansourfar K (2009) Advanced statistical methods. Institute of Publishing and Printing, University of Tehran, Tehran

    Google Scholar 

  • Meshkati AH, Moradi M (2004) Studying the trough of the Red Sea from a dynamic point of view. Nivar 52–53:53–74

    Google Scholar 

  • Mofidi A (2006) Synoptic analysis of flood-making precipitations originated from the Red Sea. Geogr Res 4(75):71–93. https://profdoc.um.ac.ir/paper-abstract-1021576.html

  • Mohammadi Z, Lashkari H (2018) Effects of spatial movement of Arabia subtropical high pressure and subtropical jet on synoptic and thermodynamic patterns of intense wet years in the south and south West Iran. Phys Geogr Res Q 50(3):491–509

    Google Scholar 

  • Pedgley DE (1966) The red sea convergence zone. Weather 21(11):394–406. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1477-8696.1966.tb02788.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pedgley DE, Symmons PM (1968) Weather and the locust upsurge. Weather 23(12):484–492

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peixoto J P (1973) Atmospheric vapor flux computations for hydrological purposes. WMO contribution to the International Hydrological Decade (IHD)

  • Shadmani N, Esfahani N, Ali M, Ghasemi AR (2018) Determination of humidity sources and accurate trajectory of moist air mass effective on heavy rainfalls in west and south of Iran (case study: flooding events of October and November 2015). Iran J Geophys 12(2):50–63

    Google Scholar 

  • Soliman KH (1953) Rainfall over Egypt. Q J R Meteorol Soc 79(341):389–397

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Solot SB (1950) General circulation over the Anglo-Egyption Sudan and adjacent regions. Q J R Meteorol Soc 31:85–94

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trenberth KE, Fasullo JT, Mackaro J (2011) Atmospheric moisture transports from ocean to land and global energy flows in reanalyses. J Clim 24(18):4907–4924

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsvieli Y, Zangvil A (2005) Synoptic climatological analysis of ‘wet’and ‘dry’Red Sea troughs over Israel. Int J Climatol 25(15):1997–2015

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsvieli Y, Zangvil A (2007) Synoptic climatological analysis of Red Sea Trough and non-Red Sea Trough rain situations over Israel. Adv Geosci 12:137–143

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Geography, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University (SBU), Room No 327, Tehran, Iran

    Hassan Lashkari, Zainab Mohammadi & Mahnaz Jafari

Authors
  1. Hassan Lashkari
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Zainab Mohammadi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mahnaz Jafari
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hassan Lashkari.

Additional information

Responsible Editor: Zhihua Zhang

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Lashkari, H., Mohammadi, Z. & Jafari, M. Investigation on dynamical structure and moisture sources of heavy precipitation in south and south-west of Iran. Arab J Geosci 13, 1140 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-020-06097-w

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-020-06097-w

Keywords

Search

Navigation