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Iraq Dust Storm, March 10, 2006 |
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(Click on image for blow-up.) MODIS dust enchancement composite image for 0930Z March 10, 2006 showing dust (pink band) over S.A. and Iraq. The location of the leading edge of the dust front is uncertain due to the presence of water cloud (light blue region.) The surface observations for 12Z March 10 (below; and see loop below) include dust and low visibility nearly to Bahrain at 12Z suggesting that dust is present beneath the clouds. |
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Surface Observations loop shows many dust observations (cyan-colored symbols) over Egypt, eastern Med, and along S.A-Iraq border on the 9th in southerlies; then westward movement of the observations and more mobilization on the 10th in NW winds over Iraq and S.A., with the front almost to Bahrain at 12Z on the 10th. Note the 400 m visibility observations west of Bahrain at 12Z on the 10th.
SeaWiFS loop
NOGAPS weather loop NOGAPS shows strong southerly mobilizating winds over S.A. on the 9th, and strong northerly mobilizating winds over S.A. on the 10th.
COAMPS forecast loop from March 9 COAMPS also shows strong southerly mobilizating winds over S.A. on the 9th, and strong northerly mobilizating winds over S.A. on the 10th. Compare the image below for 12Z March 10 with the satellite and surface observations above. The model agrees with the surface observations in that the dust front is approaching Bahrain at 12Z on March 10.
Comparison of successive COAMPS simulations for 9hour - 69-hour forecasts shows earlier (longer) forecasts had the dust front further down the coast and more intense.
NAAPS simulation loop Shows mobilization over S.A. on the 9th in strong southerlies followed by mobilization over S.A. on the 10th in strong northerlies.
NAAPS/Satellite comparison loop
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| Comparison of Bahrain sunphotometer data with NAAPS forecast of optical depth: moderate optical depths (0.1 to 0.2) from 2006030600 to 2006030900, followed by a large event (AOD = 1.2) on the 10th. The forecast captured the timing and initial ramp-up in optical depth on the 10th, but underestimated the intensity on the 11th (AOD = 0.6) |
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