Investigation of Levar wind by WRF model in Zabol City (Southeast Iran) in 17 years duration (2005-2021)

Abstract

Dust particles are one of the most important aerosol types with various effects on atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics, weather phenomena, atmospheric chemistry, air pollution and human health. In this study, both wind speed and direction are simulated by the WRF model in one of the dustiest cities, Zabol City, in east Iran during a 17 years period (2005-2021). The city was chosen because it’s located in a dust source and is mostly affected by local dust storms. The dust frequency is very high and at least one third of the year, dust-related codes are reported at the weather station of the city. Also, a high number of dust events occurs from May to September that is in coincidence with the Levar wind. Since both wind speed and wind direction are one of important factors in dust rising and propagation, especially near the dust sources, these parameters were simulated by WRF model in this study. WRF model well simulated both the wind direction and the wind class frequency distribution at Zabol station, while the model mostly overestimated the wind speed during the 17 years period.