| The aim of this study is to examine the impact of climate change on future dust storms in Kuwait. Dust storms are more frequent in summertime in the Arabian Peninsula, and can be highly influential on the climate and the environment in the region. In this study, the influence of climate change in the Middle East and especially in Kuwait was investigated by high-resolution (48, 12, and 4 km grid spacing) dynamic downscaling using the WRF (Weather Research & Forecasting) model. The WRF dynamic downscaling was forced by reanalysis using the National Centers for Environment Prediction (NCEP) model for the years 1997, 2000, and 2008. The downscaling results were first validated by comparing NCEP model outputs with the observational data. The global climate change dynamic downscaling model was run using current WRF regional climate model (RCM) simulations (2006--2010) and WRF-RCM climate simulations of the future (2056--2060). They were used to compare results between the present and the middle of the century. In general, the dominant features from (NCEP) runs were consistent with each other, as well as with WRF-RCM results. The influence of climate change in the Middle East and Kuwait can be projected from the differences between the current and model future run. The average temperature showed a positive trend in the future, as in other studies. The temperature was predicted to increase by around 0.5-2.5 °C over the next 50 years. No significant change in mean sea level pressure patterns was projected. However, amongst other things, a change in the trend of the surface wind speeds was indicated during summertime. As a result, the increase in temperature and the decline in wind speed in the future indicate a reduction in dust storm days in Kuwait by the middle of the century. |
