Simulation of Atmospheric Conditions and Trajectories for Dust Storms in the Middle East

Dust storms which disperse a high amount of fine particulate matters have increased exponentially in west of Iran. These fine particulate matters cause a lot of problems on such as adverse effect on human health as well as environment. The main aim of this study is investigating the critical dust atmospheric conditions at a dust storm which was occurred in July 2009 in Mesopotamia region. Furthermore, in order to control the dust storms, hotspots were estimated by using Weather Research and Forecasting. In addition, dust storm trajectories were studied by Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory Model. It was found that the critical condition occurred when the critical frictional wind speed varied from 0.7 – 0.8 m/s. Besides, the origins of the Middle Eastern dust storms which frequently impact the residents of this arid region were studied. The source region limited to 33°N to 36°N and 44°E to 47°E coordinates. At six different altitudes the trajectories were studied, which had two main motion patterns.