Dust Storms in Iraq: Past and Present

This research focuses on past and present dust storms in Iraq. Notably, this climatic phenomenon has frequently occurred in Iraq, as detailed in historical records. Iraq, specifically Baghdad city, witnessed a series of dust storms in spring 2022. Although these storms are among the normal climatic phenomena in Iraq due to the location in an area with widespread deserts, these storms are distinguished by their severity, causing adverse health effects and leading to aviation disturbance and airport closure. The increase in the intensity of these dust storms could be attributed to the decrease in rainfall in Iraq and neighboring countries in recent years. These storms lasted between 2 and 11 hours (6 hours on average). The frequency of these storms during the spring and summer seasons has increased. Satellite image analysis revealed that the source areas of these dust storms encompass northeastern Syria, eastern Jordan, and northern Saudi Arabia, as well as various sources in Iraq. Synoptic analysis of surface and upper weather maps showed that the comprehensive conditions suitable for dust storm formation can be divided into three cases: the first corresponds to the convergence of two pressure systems over Iraq, the second case corresponds to the convergence of two systems outside the borders of Iraq, and the last case corresponds to a single pressure system impacting Iraq. It was found that the first case accounted for (50%) of the total dust storms, where the meeting of two pressure systems led to the formation of a cold air front forming the core for dust storm development. A cold trough in the upper atmosphere (500 mb) accounted for the majority of dust storms (75%). It was found that the wind speed during these storms ranged from 4-12 m/s, and they were largely accompanied by clouds.