A better understanding of the rainfall climatology of the Middle East region identifying the
mechanisms responsible for the rain producing systems is essential for effective utilization of the water
resources over the arid region. A comprehensive analysis on the rainfall climatology of the Middle East region
is carried out to bring out the spatial and temporal variation of rainfall and mechanisms responsible for the
rain events. The study was carried out utilizing rainfall, OLR, wind and humidity data sets procured from
TRMM, NOAA and NCEP-NCAR. Climatology of annual rainfall brings out two areas of alarmingly low rainfall
in the Middle East region: one in Egypt, Jordan and adjoining areas and the other in the southern part of Saudi
Arabia. Daily rainfall analysis indicates that northern region gets rainfall mainly during winter and spring
associated with the passage of Mediterranean low pressure systems whereas rain over the southern region is
caused mainly by the monsoon organized convection, cross equatorial flow and remnants of low pressure
systems associated with the monsoon during the summer season. Thermodynamic structure of the atmosphere
reveals that the region does not have frequent local convection due to insufficient moisture content.
The sinking motion associated with the sub tropic high pressure system and subsidence associated with the
Walker circulation are responsible for maintaining warm and dry air over the region.
Description:
International Journal of Water Resources and Arid Environments 1(3): 180-192, 2011