Document Type : Research Paper

Author

• Kamal Omidvar

Professor of climatology, University of Yazd

Abstract

Abstract
In most parts of the country, especially at high altitudes, the predominant form of precipitation is snow, which can be considered as the main source of water for rivers, springs, underground watersheds and Qanats. The heights of Yazd province are also one of the snowy areas of the country because of geographical location and topographic conditions. The purpose of this research is to synoptically-dynamically identify, study and analyze the snowfall in Yazd Province. For this purpose, 12 snowfall periods were identified during the statistical period of 1999 to 2011 after identifying the geographical location of the area and with regard to the required data. To identify the motion of the air mass and to study the synoptic systems of the province, daily snow and rainfall data and synoptic maps of the land surface and upper levels of the atmosphere, jet stream, omega, circulation and humidity advection were extracted from the NCEP/NCA base and the related maps were plotted in the GrADS environment. Three synoptic and pressure patterns were extracted after conducting climatic thermodynamic researches affecting Yazd province and studying dynamic properties in terms of strengthening and weakening of pressure systems and their synoptic analysis. In the first pattern, the low-pressure combinative systems of the Eastern Mediterranean and Sudan along with the deepening of the Eastern Mediterranean troughs and the penetration of cold weather cause snowfall, especially on the highlands of Yazd province. In the second pattern, the emergence of the blocking phenomenon causes snowfall and severe cold in Yazd province. This phenomenon occurs along with deep troughs of the Eastern Mediterranean and the Red sea leading to cold weather and snowfall for several days. In the third and final pattern, with the establishment and high pressure penetration of the Caspian Sea and the Siberia and the creation of a cut-off low-pressure phenomenon in the central and northern parts of Iran, a snowfall occurs in the central regions of Yazd province.
 

Keywords

• Snow
• Synoptic map
• Synoptic pattern
• Blocking
• Cut-off Low-pressure
• Yazd Province

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