The March 2009 Dust Event in Saudi Arabia: Precursor and Supportive Environment

Abstract

A case study is presented of the environmental background for a massive Saudi Arabian dust storm event that took place on 10 and 11 March 2009. The dust storm was large enough to be clearly seen from outer space and caused a widespread heavy atmospheric dust load, very low visibility, total airport shutdown, and damage to vehicles and trees across northern and central parts of Saudi Arabia. The precursor and supportive environment for this dust storm outbreak are investigated, drawing upon routine synoptic data and satellite imagery. Analytical evidence is offered to suggest that this dust storm was triggered and sustained by a cold front passage coincident with the propagation of a preexisting intense upperlevel jet streak. The major plume of the 10 March 2009 dust storm originated from several rich dust source areas extending across two regions—the Qasim region and the Adibdibah and As-Summan Plateau region. The intensity and frequency of dust storms triggered from these active areas of dust emissions seem to be dominated by a response to the amount of precipitation during November and December.

Seasonal variability and synoptic characteristics of dust cases over southwestern Saudi Arabia

“…In addition, the squeezing of the trough between the two ridge systems was the most frequent synoptic feature in Saudi Arabia (Alharbi et al, 2013).…”

“…Both Mohalfi et al (1998) and Alharbi et al (2013) described the synoptic systems that accompanied the dust cases that occurred over the southern Arabian Peninsula and found that the dust outbreak began when a high-pressure gradient formed between the trough of the intensified heat low over Saudi Arabia and the Mediterranean ridge that extended south over the Red Sea. In addition, in their study on dust cases in the spring, Awad et al (2015) found that the horizontal anticyclonic wind pattern, a vertical circulation above 850 hPa and the areas of convergence (divergence) are accompanied by deep upward (shallow upward) motions, which were the common atmospheric features that intensified with the strength of the dust characteristics in these cases.…”

“…Alharbi et al, 2013), a few cases (e.g. Hamidi et al, 2013;Notaro et al, 2013), or cases for most of one season (e.g.…”

“…Because dust storms are a frequent phenomenon in Saudi Arabia, it is important to study their spatial and temporal distribution (Alharbi et al, 2013;Yu et al, 2013). Moreover, the identification and analysis of the weather types in the dust cases are important for understanding the characteristics of regional dust.…”

Chemical Characterization and Source Apportionment of PM2.5 in Rabigh, Saudi Arabia

“…Some studies have indicated that levels of particulate matter are high in Saudi Arabia (Nasrallah andSeroji, 2008, Khodeir et al, 2012;Munir et al, 2013). This has mainly been attributed to rapid urbanization, vehicular traffic, industrialization (Al-Jeelani, 2009b;Khodeir et al, 2012;Munir et al, 2013) and an arid climate characterized by sand storms (Furman, 2003;Alharbi et al, 2013;Munir et al, 2013).…”