The Role of Deep Convection and Strong Winds Aloft In Triggering Gales Over the Persian Gulf: Comparative Case Studies

Abstract

A situation that led to rapid developmont of strong winds over the, Northern Persian Gulf is compared with a similar situation in which gales were anticipated but did not occur. In both cases, cold air accumulated over Syria and Northern Iraq. In the first case, deep moist convection over the mountains of Northwestern Iran was coupled with a rapid southwest surge of a tongue of cold air into the Persian Gulf. In the second case, deep convection did not occur, and the cold air did not move southward. Release of latent heat by deep convection and merging of the rising currents with strong winds aloft seemed to have reinforced upslope winds near the surface in the first case, which lifted the warm air in front of the advancing cold air. This explanation is made plausible by a simple energy budget.