Persian Gulf Dust Plumes, October 2000
The images below (click to enlarge) show instances of dust plumes from Iran streaming out over the Northern Persian Gulf on October 1, 28 and 30, 2000.A very preliminary look at the 9-km COAMPS analyses and forecasts shows that the dynamical forcing appears to be by strong, low-level NW winds over the Khuzestan region of Iran. A surface high pressure area over Saudi Arabia and an approaching trough to the NW lead to SW flow over Kuwait which turns NW in front of the Zagros Mountains. The forcing is less apparent in the 27-km simulations. The 6-hourly analyses may be insufficient to resolve the dynamics. Below we show satellite imagery and COAMPS fields for the events.
| October 1, 2000 | |
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AVHRR VIS HRPT, 1213Z, October 1, 2000 showing streaks of dust from Iran blowing SSE over the Northern Persian Gulf
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| October 28, 2000 | |
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DMSP 0649Z October 28, 2000 showing streaks of dust from Iraq and Iran blowing SE over the Northern Persian Gulf.
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SeaWiFS imagery for October 28, 2000 showing streaks of dust from Iran blowing SSE over the Northern Persian Gulf.
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| Surface observations (click image for full image; Legend) show dust and haze observations (cyan colors) in southern Iran and Kuwait at the time of the event. | COAMPS 6-h forecast of surface winds (kts), temperature (C), and relative humidity at 850 mb valid at 18Z October 27, 2000. Note the 25kt wind (orange wind barb) in the Khuzestan region of Iran. |
| October 30, 2000 | |
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| AVHRR VIS HRPT, 1315Z, October 30, 2000 showing streaks of dust from Iran blowing SSE over the Northern Persian Gulf |
SeaWiFS imagery for October 30, 2000 showing streaks of dust from Iran blowing SSE over the Northern Persian Gulf.
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| Surface observations (click image for 2-day loop) show dust and haze observations (cyan colors) spreading from NW to SE across the P.G. late on the 30th and early on the 31st, then dissipating. | COAMPS 12-h forecast of surface winds (kts), temperature (C), and relative humidity at 850 mb valid at 00Z October 30, 2000. |