Recognition of patterns and synoptic analysis of rainstorm in western Iran based on thermodynamic instability indices: A case study of Ahvaz

In this research, patterning of rainstorm (more than 10 mm) was conducted by instability indices in Ahvaz. At first, rainfall data from 2000 to 2015 was extracted and statistically examined. Instability indices for rainy days were calculated by the Skew-T diagram. Then, patterning was done by using hierarchical clustering, Ward method, and Euclidean distance. As the sample, one day was selected from each cluster and was synoptically analyzed. The results revealed 60 rainstorms for the respective period. More rainstorms occurred in January and December. Autumn and winter had the most frequent days of rainstorm, while it did not occur in the summer. The results of classification divided rainstorms into 4 patterns and more days were in the fourth class, while the least was in the second class. In the second and fourth classes, instability indices were severe and could predict possible rainstorms, but the first and third classes couldn’t predict because synoptic systems caused the occurrence of the rainstorm. In the second and fourth classes, rainstorms were convectional. The synoptic analysis showed that every time rainstorm occurred in Ahvaz, a deep trough at 500 hPa was formed in the East Mediterranean and the area was in front of it. Also, at sea level pressure, a low-pressure system formed in Iraq and winds got humid by passing through the Persian Gulf and entered into the atmosphere of Ahvaz. Due to the unstable atmosphere, the air would rise to heights causing rainstorm.