Evaluating the impact and significance of meteorological factors upon dust storm occurrence

摘要

In this article,the quantitative impact and significance of factors on dust storm occurrence have been analyzed in detail,based on spring daily data sets of 17 meteorological factors and dust storm records during the period of 1954-2005 for 60 gauge stations distributed over Gansu Province of China.Results show that daily mean and maximum wind speeds and evaporation have a positive effect on dust storm occurrence,i.e.,their increase can result in an increase of dust storm occurrence.Inversely,daily mean andminimum relative humidity,lowest surface air pressure,vapor pressure and number of sunny hours have a negative effect on dust storm occurrence.However,daily mean and highest surface air pressure;mean,highest and lowest surface air temperature;and precipitation of 20:00-08:00,08:00-20:00 and 20:00-20:00 have a positive effect on dust storm occurrence in some places but negative in other places.On average,daily maximum and mean wind speeds,direction of the maximum wind,number of sunny hours and evaporation have a significant effect on dust storm occurrence in Gansu Province,but precipitation of 20:00-08:00,08:00-20:00 and 20:00-20:00,and mean surface air pressure and temperature all have aminor influence upon dust storm occurrence.