Numerical modeling and hazard analysis of Kuwait dust storm events using WRF Chemistry model

Dipak Kumar Sahu, Indu Jain, Ali Al-Hemoud

Dust storms have a negative impact on socio-economic events in Kuwait, including traffic accidents, seaport closures, airport shutdowns, and flight delays, and agriculture degradation. From the diurnal analysis of weather parameters, it was noticed that dust storms were more severe from noon to late evening hours and gradually slowed down during the night hours. Sometimes, these strong dust storms may last up to 2-3 days in a row. WRF-Chemistry (WRF-Chem) model has been implemented to analyze the genesis, intensification, and dissipation of the dust storm events. From the WRF-Chem model simulations, it was noted that the diurnal variations of the weather parameters such as relative humidity, temperature, and wind speed associated with the dust storms are realistically simulated over the State of Kuwait and significantly comparable with the station observations. It was also noted that there are a significant variation in the amount of dust deposition, dust concentration, and dust emission both spatially and temporally at district-levels all over Kuwait. From WRF-Chem model simulations, it was noted that during a strong event, the maximum daily-accumulated dust deposition could reach up to 140-160 g/m2. However, during the moderate and low dust storm events, the values are up to 60-80 g/m2 and 20-40 g/m2 respectively. During a strong dust storm event, the daily accumulated dust concentrations could reach up to 0.18-0.2 g/m3 and the dust particles can rise up to 3 km in the air from ground surface. However, the vertical extents of the dust particles in the air can rise up to 2.5 km and 1 km from ground surface during the moderate and low events respectively. Dust storms have no fixed season of occurrence in Kuwait, hence an early warning system for dust storms should be implemented and public awareness should be increased to mitigate the hazard’s impacts.