The climatology of the Red Sea – part 1: the wind

• Published in: International journal of climatology Vol. 37; no. 13; pp. 4509 - 4517
• Main Authors: Langodan, Sabique, Cavaleri, Luigi, Vishwanadhapalli, Yesubabu, Pomaro, Angela, Bertotti, Luciana, Hoteit, Ibrahim
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 15.11.2017
• Subjects: long‐term climate trend; Red Sea climatology; The Red Sea; wind climate; WRF
• ISSN: 0899-8418; 1097-0088
• DOI: 10.1002/joc.5103

ABSTRACT The wind climatology of the Red Sea is described based on a 30‐year high‐resolution regional reanalysis generated using the Advanced Weather Research Forecasting model. The model was reinitialized on a daily basis with ERA‐Interim global data and regional observations were assimilated using a cyclic three‐dimensional variational approach. The reanalysis products were validated against buoy and scatterometers data. We describe the wind climatology and identify four major systems that determine the wind patterns in the Red Sea. Each system has a well‐defined origin, and consequently different characteristics along the year. After analysing the relevant features of the basin in terms of their climatology, we investigate possible long‐term trends in each system. It is found that there is a definite tendency towards lowering the strength of the wind speed, but at a different rate for different systems and periods of the year. Mean (panels a, c) and maximum (b, d) wind speeds in the Red Sea. Left panels for summer, right ones for winter. The colour bars have different parameter ranges.