Characteristics of near-surface wind regimes in the Taklimakan Desert, China

Abstract

Using wind data from 17 meteorological stations distributed throughout the Taklimakan desert, we described the characteristics of the desert's wind regimes and analyzed the spatial and temporal variations in wind direction and sand-drift intensity. The near-surface wind regimes were closely related to general atmospheric circulation patterns and the surrounding topography. There are two prevailing wind directions in the desert. In general, the eastern part of the desert is mainly affected by NE winds and the western part is affected by NW winds. In the area towards the center of the desert, but not around its edges, the monthly mean wind velocity is strongly correlated with the monthly mean temperature. With the exception of Ruoqiang, on the eastern edge of the desert, the drift potential (DP) is less than 200 VU, and the desert thus belongs to a low-energy environment based on Fryberger's classification. In addition, most parts of the desert have an RDP (resultant DP)/DP value greater than 0.4, suggesting that the wind regimes have mainly unimodal or bimodal characteristics. In contrast with the sand-drift intensity, which was highest in the north and east parts of the desert, the highest frequency of sand–dust storms occurred at the southwestern margin of the desert. This results primarily from the differences of dust content on ground surfaces and land use types.