Source of dust and sand storms in the southwest of Iran and Persian Gulf region

Dust storm is a large-scale environmental problem which affects on the healthiness and livings of communities in the world. Numerous heavy dust and sand storms happen in the south and southwest of Iran, near the Persian Gulf. In recent years, lots of dust storms in this area have caused enormous damages and heavy casualties inflicted on the inhabitants. Reduced visibility, strong winds, red sky, hail fall, and severe thunderstorms are the results of dust and sand storm. This paper has attempted to conduct dust storms, as well as short-term and long-term effects of the storm based on the statistical and analytical methods. The satellite images from Physical Meteorological Observatory showed that the dust storms based on the synoptic scale of meteorology were associated with cold fronts and cyclones’ activity. The sand and dust storms occur when strong storms blowing from arid regions hit the cold fronts and make instability in the air flow.