WASM- Major fires have erupted in the forests of Latakia in northwestern Syria in recent days, and this time the cause was not high temperatures, but a rare seasonal cold air mass that affected mountains in Turkey and caused snowfall and the activity of dangerous descending winds "Katabatic winds" on Syria -Katabatic Wind -
What are Katabatic Winds?
These are dangerous winds that blow from the tops of cold mountains toward slopes at great speeds and powerful gusts exceeding 300 km/hour. The reason for this phenomenon is the significant drop in air temperature over mountainous areas, especially with snow accumulation or the rush of cold winds toward these mountains, and the presence of a warm or much warmer air mass on the other side of these mountains, which causes a very large difference in atmospheric pressure values, air density, and humidity levels, ultimately causing it to descend sharply and forcefully downward at great speeds.
In this case, a very cold and unseasonably rare air mass rushed toward northeastern and northern Turkey, causing rare snowfall, which resulted in a significant drop in temperature. On the opposite side (the southern part of the mountains and the Syrian regions below them and the Mediterranean coasts), it is exposed to normal seasonal summer temperatures, which resulted in a very large difference in atmospheric pressure values and the descent of these cold winds forcefully downward.
These winds caused during recent days the formation of a major dust storm in the Syrian desert and western Iraq with wind gusts exceeding 120 km/hour, as well as stormy conditions over most areas of Turkish coasts overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and the entire Levantine region, which also witnessed stormy winds in previous days, which is rare for the season.
These strong winds were "unseasonable" and caused the outbreak of major fires in the forests of northwestern Syria and Latakia countryside and surrounding areas, and because they were located directly in the path of these dangerous winds.
Major wind activity during dry seasons or drought periods like what is currently happening at this time increases the chance of forest fires and greatly helps the spread of fires over large areas. These winds also caused major fires on Turkish coasts overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
This phenomenon was also the main reason for California wildfires during the previous winter season due to the activity of this phenomenon, and with the repeated rush of very cold polar air masses toward the Rocky Mountains and the eastern mountains of California and western states, which were laden with snow, leading to the blowing of dangerous Katabatic winds and the spread of major fires.
What are the forecasts for the coming period and will these winds repeat?
The WASM Regional Center is monitoring the recurrence of activity of these winds during the coming period, especially around mid-month, with the rush of more unseasonable cold air masses toward Turkey due to the intensification of heat waves toward the European continent.
Strong heat waves toward the European continent cause the formation of an atmospheric circulation system that allows cold air to rush forcefully toward eastern Europe and eastern Mediterranean and Turkey, which is rare for the season, thus increasing the activity of this phenomenon known as "Katabatic winds."
Therefore, the WASM Regional Center advises relevant authorities to be aware of this phenomenon and forecasts of its unusual activity this summer, which greatly increases the chances of the occurrence or spread of these fires over large areas.
