Evaluation of Geopotential Height at 500 hpa with Rainfall Events: A Case Study of Iraq

Abstract

The geopotential height at 500 hPa is a key factor in determining the weather and climate conditions around the world. This paper aims to study the effect of 500hpa geopotential height in Iraq weather from a synoptic perspective and evaluation the variation at 500hpa geopotential height. On (26-29 January 2013), a case of atmospheric instability affected Iraq, where a heavy amount of rain fell over Iraq on 28 January 2013, the amount of rain that fell on Kirkuk was about (72.2mm). The result showed that when the upper-level trough stretches from Europe towards the Mediterranean, it will enhance surface low pressure. In addition, the advection of moisture from lower latitudes resulted in a situation of instability that brought severe rain to Iraq. during this period the value of geopotential height decreased sharply. The decrease in the value of geopotential height is an indicator of turbulent weather when compared to surrounding regions.

Keywords

• 500hpa, geopotential height , rainfall, trough, Iraq