Synoptic climatology of major floods in the Negev Desert, Israel

摘要: This study examines the extent to which floods in Negev Desert, an area that constitutes southern half of Israel, are not outcome purely local weather conditions but are, rather, result distinct synoptic-scale events. was done through compiling and analysing a hydro-climatological database all major Negev, then categorizing them manually into synoptic types cause floods. The type analysis is based on US National Meteorological Center data sets with 2.5° × resolution analysed by GrADS. Data were compiled studied for 52 period 1965–94, peak discharge above magnitude 5 year recurrence intervals (RI > years) at least one drainage basin. Distinct extreme patterns indeed associated 42 floods. They grouped four types, two 37 events: (a) active Red Sea trough, defined as surface trough extending from East Africa toward eastern Mediterranean, accompanied pronounced 500 hPa level over Egypt: (b) Syrian low, well-developed Mediterranean cyclone upper-level both located Syria. Each has its own evolution course, unique seasonal spatial distribution flooded basins. These findings imply can be considered signatures exceptional evolutions, reflect climatic Our results indicate it possible use set dynamic thermodynamic variables predicting occurrence location flash Copyright © 2002 Royal Society.