The Open Atmospheric Science Journal

2019, 13 : 29-42
Published online 2019 November 15. DOI: 10.2174/1874282301913010029
Publisher ID: TOASCJ-13-29

RESEARCH ARTICLE
Effects of the Sea Breeze Circulation on Soil Temperature Over Kuwait Using Observations and the ECMWF Model

Hussain Alsarraf1, * , Matthew V.D. Broeke2 and Hala Aljassar3

* Address correspondence to this author at the Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences American University of kuwait Salmiya, Kuwait; Tel:+996 99663313; E-mails: and dr.hussain.alsarraf@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Background:

The mesoscale circulation over Kuwait is an important influence on changes in surface temperatures and soil temperatures.

Introduction:

This paper presents two common summertime atmospheric features over Kuwait linking wind circulation to soil temperatures.

Methods:

In this study, we use the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts ECMWF reanalysis ERA-Interim dataset to investigate effects of the synoptic scale and mesoscale circulations.

Results:

The results show that a large-scale pressure gradient in summer typically leads to northerly winds over Kuwait, while a weak synoptic-scale pressure gradient leads to light easterly humid winds from the Persian Gulf, consistent with a mesoscale circulation.

Conclusions:

The results demonstrate the significance of wind circulations in driving the Soil Temperature (SOILT). Using the Era-Interim/Land reanalysis dataset for August 2015 over Kuwait, the average SOILT on days of sea breeze is higher than the average SOILT on days dominated by a synoptic-scale pressure gradient.

Keywords:

Synoptic scale forcing, Mesoscale circulation, Kuwait, Arabian Peninsula, Soil temperature, Shamal, ECWMF, AWOS, ERA-Interim.