Increasing Snowfall Events in the Northern Region of Saudi Arabia
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Authors
Al-Zahrani, Moeedh
Date
2017
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
Saudi Arabia as part of the Middle East has been experiencing climate change effects. As a result of that, a there has been a noticeable increase in snowfall over the northern regions of Saudi Arabia. In this thesis work, different studies have been applied to better understanding this phenomenon, such as looking closely at the interannual trends in temperature, pressure and precipitation in the northern part of Saudi Arabia. Principle components of variation in temperature, pressure, and integrated precipitable water are also investigated. Work has been done to understand the correlation and time lag between these principle components and the Siberian High (SH). Data used in this work were obtained from different sources because of the data lack in that region. Data from six meteorological stations in the northern part of Saudi Arabia were used in this work including the surface and upper data.
The results of this thesis are divided into two parts. The first part examines the regression between different components such as High-Level Thickness (HLDZ) (700hPa – 500hPa) and the sea level pressure (MSLP) which showed a negative relationship. Relations between Mid-Level Thickness (MLDZ) and MSLP, Potential Temperature () and MSLP, the westerly component of wind at 300 hPa (U300) and MSLP, U300 and , U300 and HLDZ and MLDZ, and U300 and the
mean T are also examined. The results showed that SH has a strong influence over the northern region of Saudi Arabia. Moreover, the cold air aloft associated with the SH leads the atmospheric thickness to shrink.
The second part of results is a synoptic study on the north region of Saudi Arabia. The MSLP Composites Analyses indicated that the SH dominates a large area including the northern region of Saudi Arabia. In addition, the composites results have been divided into two cases, in rain cases and in snow cases to show what causes each case.