Investigation of the Most Severe Winter Heat Waves in Yazd Province

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Professor, Department of Geography, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran.

2 , M.Sc. , Department of Geography, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran.

3 Ph.D. , Department of Geography, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran.

10.29252/aridbiom.2026.4033

Abstract

Winter heat waves are among the rare but influential climatic phenomena in the arid regions of Iran, with significant environmental and agricultural consequences. In this study, the frequency, trend, and statistical characteristics of heat waves were analyzed using daily maximum temperature data over a 15-year period (2003–2017) from seven synoptic stations in Yazd Province, including Yazd, Meybod, Bafq, Aqda, Marvast, Gariz, and Robat-e Posht-e Badam. The results revealed that the highest number of heat-wave events was recorded at Bafq station in 2017 with 17 events, while Yazd station experienced 14 events in both 2005 and 2017. The longest heat-wave episode occurred at Yazd station during autumn 2007 and persisted for 28 days, whereas the longest event at Marvast station lasted 23 days in 2016. Seasonal analysis indicated that in Meybod, Bafq, Aqda, and Robat-e Posht-e Badam stations, the highest occurrence of heat waves was observed in autumn, accounting for more than 51% of all events. In contrast, Yazd, Gariz, and Marvast stations experienced the highest frequency of heat waves during winter, representing more than 52% of total events. The non-parametric Mann–Kendall test and Sen’s slope estimator indicated increasing trends at all stations except Robat-e Posht-e Badam. The strongest positive trend was detected at Bafq station with a Sen’s slope of Q = 0.182 and a Mann–Kendall statistic of Z = 1.01. Synoptic analysis of the most extensive and persistent heat wave (a 10-day event in December 2005) demonstrated that the establishment of the Azores High ridge at the 500-hPa level and warm air advection from the Arabian Peninsula at the 850-hPa level played a dominant role in the development of this event. These findings suggest an increasing likelihood of the persistence and intensity of winter heat waves in the arid climate of Yazd Province under the influence of climate change.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Arid Biome
Volume 15, Issue 1
March 2025
Pages 121-136

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