Climates of the Arabian Peninsula – past, present, future

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to look into climate and climate change in a wider setting ranging from geological time through historical to instrumental records.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors give an overview of the past, present, and future climates and the status of water resources of the Arabian Peninsula, and describe climatic forcings that shape the current climate, and the variables that are most prone to the change of existing atmospheric conditions.

Findings

Present weather patterns of the Peninsula are governed by Hadley circulation, and modulated by El Niño – southeastern oscillation, PDO, NAO, and IOO. The process of aridification is proceeding.

Originality/value

The global assessment of the imminent climate change is streamlined into predictions that are relevant for the Arabian Peninsula. Conclusions are drawn on the need for extended research effort based in countries of the Arabian Peninsula for the optimal preparation of management actions to tackle both climate change and resulting water resources issues in the region.

Citation

Kotwicki, V. and Al Sulaimani, Z. (2009), "Climates of the Arabian Peninsula – past, present, future", International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, Vol. 1 No. 3, pp. 297-310. https://doi.org/10.1108/17568690910977500