The dominant factor in extreme dust events over the Gobi Desert is shifting from extreme winds to extreme droughts

Abstract

Gobi Desert (GD) is one of the major global dust sources, where dust events are frequent. Based on satellite observations, we compiled extreme dust events (EDEs) over the GD during spring since 2000. Among all 43 extreme events, EDEs on 4–10 April 2001 (EDE 2001) and 14–19 March 2021 (EDE 2021) are the most pronounced, due to the longest duration and the most intense strength, while the generation mechanisms underlying these two EDEs are different. EDE 2001 is associated with extreme westerlies, which are caused by an abnormal low-pressure due to the extreme Eurasian teleconnection (EU). However, EDE 2021 is attributable to extreme droughts, which are caused by an abnormal high-pressure due to the extreme Arctic Oscillation (AO) and West Pacific teleconnection (WP). Moreover, the trends in EU, AO, and WP combined with the analysis of all EDEs indicate a shift in the dominant factor of EDEs over the GD from extreme winds to extreme droughts. Therefore, regional droughts should be given more importance in future EDE forecasts.