Monitoring of monthly dynamics of thunderstorm activity in Iraq

The article presents the study results of the monthly variability thunderstorm activity at three meteorological stations located in Iraq over a ten-year period from 2000 to 2009. This is a study based on archived data from daily meteorological observations. The study of fronts for six months a year and for ten years showed that thunderstorms most often occur in March and April, accounting for about 47.42% of all thunderstorms. Moreover, 22.3% of them are in the northern mountainous region of Iraq. 67 baroclinic and 63 barotropic cases were registered at Khanaqin Station; 42 baroclinic and 47 barotropic cases were recorded at Baghdad Airport Station; and 21 baroclinic and 27 barotropic cases were listed at Basra Airport Station. Whenever there is a change in the horizontal temperature, potential energy becomes available. Low-pressure systems usually cause sudden weather changes, including strong winds, heavy rain, thunderstorms, and other possible meteorological phenomena. This low-pressure system, which includes the Mediterranean low-pressure system and occurs in regions with predominantly westerly and reverse winds, leads to increased winds and increases the likelihood of thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. When the depression of the Red Sea connects with the depression of the Mediterranean Sea, deep cumulonimbus clouds will form, and the weather will be very bad with rain and thunderstorms (rain, thunder, lightning, maybe even hail).

troposphere, thunderstorm activity, barotropic, baroclinic, precipitation, depression