Revealing the meteorological drivers of the September 2015 severe dust event in the Eastern Mediterranean
In September 2015 one of the severest and most unusual dust events on record occurred in the Eastern Mediterranean. Surprisingly, operational dust transport models were unable to forecast the event. This study details the reasons for this failure and presents simulations of the event at convecti...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2017-11-01
|
| Series: | Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics |
| Online Access: | https://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/17/13573/2017/acp-17-13573-2017.pdf |
| Summary: | In September 2015
one of the severest and most unusual dust events on record occurred in the
Eastern Mediterranean. Surprisingly, operational dust transport models were
unable to forecast the event. This study details the reasons for this failure
and presents simulations of the event at convection-permitting resolution
using the modelling system ICON-ART. The results allow for an in-depth
analysis of the influence of the synoptic situation, the complex interaction
of multiple driving atmospheric systems and the mineral dust radiative effect
on the dust event. A comparison of the results with observations reveals the
quality of the simulation results with respect to structure and timing of the
dust transport. The forecast of the dust event is improved decisively. The
event is triggered by the unusually early occurrence of an active Red Sea
trough situation with an easterly axis over Mesopotamia. The connected
sustained organized mesoscale convection produces multiple cold-pool outflows
responsible for intense dust emissions. Complexity is added by the
interaction with an intense heat low, the inland-penetrating Eastern
Mediterranean sea breeze and the widespread occurrence of
supercritical flow conditions and subsequent hydraulic jumps in the vicinity
of the Dead Sea Rift Valley. The newly implemented mineral dust radiation
interaction leads to systematically more intense and faster propagating
cold-pool outflows. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1680-7316 1680-7324 |