Evaluation of Spatial-Temporal Variability of Drought Events in Iran Using Palmer Drought Severity Index and Its Principal Factors (through 1951-2005)

Mojtaba Zoljoodi, Ali Didevarasl

Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorological Research Centre (ASMERC), Tehran, Iran.

DOI: 10.4236/acs.2013.32021                

Abstract

Intensity and variability of droughts are considered inIranduring the period 1951 to 2005. Four variables are considered: the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI), the soil moisture, the temperature and the precipitation (products used for the analysis are downloaded from the NCAR website). Link with the climatic indexLa Ninais also considered (NOAA downloadable products is used). The analysis is based on basic statistical approaches (correlation, linear regressions and Principal Component Analysis). The analysis shows that PDSI is highly correlated to the soil moisture and poorly correlated to the other variables—although the temperature in the warm season shows high correlation to the PDSI and that a severe drought was experienced during 1999-2002 inthe country.

Keywords

Intensity and Variability of Droughts; Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI); Basic Statistical Approaches; La Nina; Iran

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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