Dust storm episodes at the aerodromes in the Asian part of Russia

Abstract

Dust storm episodes at the aerodromes in the Asian part of Russia / Ivanova A.R., Skriptunova E.N., Komasko N.I., Zavialova A.A.// Hydrometeorological Research and Forecasting, 2021, no. 2 (380), pp. 20-42. According to 2001-2020 METAR data, episodes of dust storms at 26 international aerodromes in the Asian Russia causing poor visibility are studied. The conditions for issuing reports on dust storms, their correspondence to the definition of a dust storm are discussed. It was found that out of 337 reports describing dust transport by strong wind, only 7 episodes registered at the aerodromes of Irkutsk, Abakan, Omsk, and Blagoveshchensk corresponded to the classical definition. The others detected at 15 of 26 aerodromes may be defined as “dust events” – the episodes of dust transfer causing the nonessential visibility reduction. The seasonal variation in such episodes and its connection with changes in visibility are studied. The characteristics of dusty air masses and the direction of their advection are given. Keywords: dust storm, dust events, aerodromes of Asian Russia, seasonal variation, trajectory analysis