Ozone analysis over the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract EN

Monthly, seasonal and annual values of the total column ozone amount have been analyzed at each station of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the period 1979 to 2006.

It was found that ozone variation is a function of latitude, where the higher values of ozone occur at the northern stations, they decrease gradually from north to south.

The values of ozone start to increase gradually from November to reach their maximum in March, then they decrease gradually to reach their minimum in October.

There is no persistence in the season of higher ozone values, where the season of higher values differs with different latitudes.

Study of the horizontal distribution of the monthly average of ozone for each month of the year has been made.

It was found that the largest column amounts occur north of 25oN during winter and spring months and coincide with a lowering of the tropopause.

Latitudinal gradients in column ozone are very strong in winter and spring months especially north of latitude 20oN.

The strong latitudinal gradient of ozone with the increase of its quantity over the north of KSA in winter and spring is due to mid-latitude traveling depressions from west to east that affect the weather in this period.

The climatological distribution of ozone throughout the months of the year reflects the effect of meteorological factors and pressure system affecting the weather and climate of our area.