Ozone Analysis over the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract. Monthly, seasonal and annual values of the total columnozone amount have been analyzed at each station of Kingdom ofSaudi Arabia for the period 1979 to 2006. It was found that ozonevariation is a function of latitude, where the higher values of ozoneoccur at the northern stations, they decrease gradually from north tosouth. The values of ozone start to increase gradually from Novemberto reach their maximum in March, then they decrease gradually toreach their minimum in October. There is no persistance in the seasonof higher ozone values, where the season of higher values differs withdifferent latitudes. Study of the horizontal distribution of the monthlyaverage of ozone for each month of the year has been made. It wasfound that the largest column amounts occur north of 25oN duringwinter and spring months and coincide with a lowering of thetropopause. Latitudinal gradients in column ozone are very strong inwinter and spring months especially north of latitude 20oN. The stronglatitudinal gradient of ozone with the increase of its quantity over thenorth of KSA in winter and spring is due to mid-latitude travelingdepressions from west to east that affect the weather in this period.The climatological distribution of ozone throughout the months of theyear reflects the effect of meteorological factors and pressure systemaffecting the weather and climate of our area.