Impact Of Storms Research Articles

A study of Solar Flares and Geomagnetic Storms Impact on Total Electron Content Over High-Latitude Region During July- November 2021: The Case of Tromso Station

This study investigates the impact of geomagnetic storms and solar flares on total electron content (TEC) of the ionosphere of high-latitude auroral station at Tromso(Geog. Lat. 69.66° N, Geog.Long. 18.94 ° E, and Geomag.Lat. 66°). The rate of increase or decrease in TEC value indicator (ROTIave) are used as the ionospheric irregularities proxy to prob occurrence of TEC alteration during months of July, August, September, October and November 2021. The deviation of TEC (in percentage) denoted by ΔTEC(%) was utilized to examine the impact of geomagnetic storms and solar flares on the ionospheric storms over aurora region. The study finds that a remarkable boost of TEC values up to the order of about 7–10 TECU was noticed over Tromso station during moderate geomagnetic storms of 28 August 2021, 12 and 17 October 2021 and a strong geomagnetic storm of 4 November 2021. The investigation also finds suppression of ionospheric irregularities during peak of X-type solar flare of 28 October 2021. The suppression is probably attributed to effect of accelerated energetic particles associated to solar flare eruption and coronal mass ejection (CME). On the other hand, moderate occurrence of irregularity was observed during main and recovery storm phase of 4 November 2021 at 18:00–24:00 UT and 1:00 UT-3:00 UT. This article presents the consequence of geomagnetic storms and solar flare on characteristics evolution of phase fluctuations and ionospheric storm during July, August, September, October and November.

Impact of Forbush Decreases and Geomagnetic Storms on the Atmospheric Ozone Profiles

AbstractThe sensitivity of atmospheric ozone to geomagnetic storms and reduced cosmic rays' (CRs) intensity (called Forbush decrease [FD]) has been noticed for many years. However, it is still unclear what the factors affecting ozone density are—whether these are the complex changes induced by geomagnetic storms in the upper atmosphere and ionosphere, or it is the severe reduction of CRs accessing Earth's lower atmosphere. Analyzing two strong geomagnetic storms, accompanied by FDs, and another FD occurred in geomagnetically quiet conditions, we conclude that observed ozone changes support the idea about the existence of an additional source of ozone in the lower stratosphere. The ion‐molecular reactions of catalytic ozone production are initiated by secondary ionization, produced by cosmic radiation at these levels. This conclusion is supported by the fact that the strongest ozone depletion beneath its maximum is found in regions with the severest reduction of CR flux. Moreover, the time delay of ozone response (∼2 days), is short enough to be attributed to changes in circulation. In addition, we have examined the changes in the sea level pressure during the analyzed events and found out that the surface pressure follows dynamically the spatial pattern of the ozone changes, forced by the reduced amount of precipitating energetic particles in the atmosphere.

Prior exposure of microbial communities to seawater reduces resilience but increases compositional and functional resistance to flooding events

Storm surges, flooding, and the encroachment of seawater onto agricultural land are predicted to increase with climate change. These flooding events fundamentally alter many soil properties and have knock-on effects on the microbial community composition and its functioning. The hypotheses tested in this study were (1) that the extent of change (resistance) of microbial community functioning and structure during seawater flooding is a factor of pre-adaptation to the stress, and (2) if structure and function are altered, the pre-adaptation will result in communities returning to previous state prior to flooding (resilience) faster than unexposed communities. We chose a naturally occurring saltmarsh-terrestrial pasture gradient from which three elevations were selected to create mesocosms. By selecting these sites, we were able to incorporate the legacy of differing levels of seawater ingress and exposure. Mesocosms were submerged in seawater for 0, 1, 96- and 192-h, with half of the mesocosms sacrificed immediately after flooding, and the other half taken after a 14 day “recovery” period. The following parameters were monitored: 1) changes in soil environmental parameters, 2) prokaryotic community composition, and 3) microbial functioning. Our results indicated that any length of seawater inundation significantly altered the physicochemical properties of all the soils, although a greater change is observed in the pasture site compared to the saltmarsh sites. These changes remained following a recovery period. Interestingly, our results indicated that for community composition, there was a high degree of resistance for the Saltmarsh mesocosms, with the Pasture mesocosm displaying higher resilience. Further, we observed a functional shift in the enzyme activities with labile hemicellulose being preferentially utilised over cellulose, with the effect increasing with longer floods. These results suggest that changing bacterial physiology is more critical to understanding the impact of storm surges on agricultural systems than bulk community change.

Oceanic Responses to the Winter Storm Outbreak of February 2021 in the Gulf of Mexico from In Situ and Satellite Observations

Winter storms occur in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) every few years, but there are not many studies on oceanic responses to severe winter storms. Although usually considered less destructive than hurricanes, they can result in cumulative damages. Winter Storm Outbreak of February 2021 (WSO21), the most intense winter storm to impact Texas and the GoM in 30 years, passed over the western GoM and brought severe cold to the GoM coastal regions, which caused a sudden cooling of the ocean surface, resulting in an extensive loss of marine life. In this study, we analyze multiple datasets from both in situ and satellite observations to examine the oceanic changes due to WSO21 in order to improve our understanding of oceanic responses to winter storms. Although the pre-storm sea surface temperature (SST) was 1–2 °C warmer than normal, severe coastal cold spells caused a significant cooling of the order of −3 °C to −5 °C during WSO21 and a −1 °C average cooling in the mixed layer (ML) over the western GoM. Net surface heat loss played a primary role in the upper ocean cooling during WSO21 and explained more than 50% of the cooling that occurred. Convective mixing due to surface cooling and turbulent mixing induced by enhanced wind speeds significantly increase the surface ML in the western GoM. Apart from rapid changes in SST and heat fluxes due to air-sea interactions, persistent upwelling brings nutrients to the surface and can produce coastal “winter” blooms along the Texas and Mexico coast. Prominent salinity increases along the coastal regions during and after WSO21 were another indicator of wind-induced coastal upwelling. Our study demonstrates the utility of publicly-available datasets for studying the impact of winter storms on the ocean surface.

Assessment of storm impact on coral reef structural complexity

Extreme weather events are increasing in frequency and magnitude. Consequently, it is important to understand their effects and remediation. Resilience reflects the ability of an ecosystem to absorb change, which is important for understanding ecological dynamics and trajectories. To describe the impact of a powerful storm on coral reef structural complexity, we used novel computational tools and detailed 3D reconstructions captured at three time points over three years. Our data-set Reefs4D of 21 co-registered image-based models enabled us to calculate the differences at seven sites over time and is released with the paper. We employed six geometrical metrics, two of which are new algorithms for calculating fractal dimension of reefs in full 3D. We conducted a multivariate analysis to reveal which sites were affected the most and their relative recovery. We also explored the changes in fractal dimension per size category using our cube-counting algorithm. Three metrics showed a significant difference between time points, i.e., decline and subsequent recovery in structural complexity. The multivariate analysis and the results per size category showed a similar trend. Coral reef resilience has been the subject of seminal studies in ecology. We add important information to the discussion by focusing on 3D structure through image-based modeling. The full picture shows resilience in structural complexity, suggesting that the reef has not gone through a catastrophic phase shift. Our novel analysis framework is widely transferable and useful for research, monitoring, and management.

Susceptibility of the Climate Resilient Landforms of the Coastal Tract of Odisha and West Bengal, India

Abstract Wide sea beaches, beach ridges, barrier sand spits, sand dunes, and climate-sensitive tidal flats with mangrove forests on the coast of Odisha and West Bengal are the products of coastal process dynamics during the middle to late Holocene epoch under a stable sea level stage. These features are resilient to the global climate change phenomenon under natural conditions with the continuous supply of sediments and the spread of habitats that protect the coastal lowlands behind them against storms and inundations. Both the geomorphological and ecological systems of the depositional features were developed and optimized into matured stages before human intervention into the coastal system. These features were well developed along the storm-affected shoreline of the eastern coast of India with the supply of sediments into the coastal zones by river inputs, longshore current transport, cross-shore transport through storms, transgressive seas during the Holocene epoch, seasonal wind waves, and aeolian deposits. After assessing the climatic sensitivity stress, exposure index, adaptive capacities, and coastal vulnerabilities of the study area, the final result shows high susceptivity scores for the landforms that represent low resilient capacity; whereas, the coastal tracts of Purba Medinipur, and Sundarban represent low resilient capacity; and the coastal tract of Odisha reflects high to moderate resilient capacity. In the perspective of the global climate change phenomenon and human intervention into the coastal systems, the present study was conducted to find out the temporal changes of the coastal depositional features, to estimate the sensitivity of the features, and finally, to enquire about their susceptibility to the impact of cyclonic storms and the rapid rate of sea-level rise process currently occurring in the region of the tropical coast.

The Impact of Tropical Storms on International Trade: Evidence from Eastern Caribbean Small Island Developing States.

Eastern Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have a high dependence on international trade for income, employment, and poverty reduction given their extreme openness, small market size, narrow range of resources, and productive capabilities and specialized economic structures. These features make them vulnerable to external shocks, the most frequent being tropical storms. The objective of this paper is to investigate the impact of tropical storms on international trade for 8 Eastern Caribbean SIDS over the period 2000-2019, as well as the mediating role of the Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER). The paper uses panel regression techniques along with mediation analysis applied to monthly export, import, and exchange rate data taken from the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank combined with a measure of hurricane destruction that accounts for ex-ante economic exposure to damage. The results indicate that hurricanes reduce exports of goods by 20 percent in the month of a strike and up to three months thereafter. The impact on imports is more immediateand less severe, reducing imports of goods by 11 per cent only in the month of a strike. The mediation analysis suggests that the REER plays no mediation role in explaining the impact of tropical storm damage on exports and imports in the region.

The impact of ice storms on mycorrhizal fungi varies by season and mycorrhizal type in a hardwood forest

AbstractExtreme weather events, such as ice storms, are increasing and have potentially large impacts on forests, including belowground structures such as fine roots and mycorrhizal fungi. Many forest trees rely on the mutualistic relationship between mycorrhizal fungi and plants; a relationship that, when disrupted, can negatively impact tree net primary productivity. We took advantage of a large‐scale ice storm manipulation in the northeastern United States to test the hypothesis that increasing ice storm intensity and frequency would reduce ectomycorrhizal fungal root tips per unit root length and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal structures per unit root length, hereafter colonization. We found that ice storm intensity reduced spring ectomycorrhizal fungal and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal colonization. However, these patterns changed in the fall, where ice storm intensity still reduced ectomycorrhizal fungal root tips, but arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal colonization was higher in ice storm treatments than controls. The amount of ectomycorrhizal fungal root tips and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal colonization differed seasonally: ectomycorrhizal fungal root tips were 1.7× higher in the spring than in the fall, while arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal colonization was 3× higher in the fall than in the spring. Our results indicate that mycorrhizal fungal colonization responses to ice storm severity vary temporally and by mycorrhizal fungal type. Further, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi may recover from ice storms relatively quickly, potentially aiding forests in their recovery, whereas ice storms may have a long lasting impact on ectomycorrhizal fungi.

PO-04-192 RISK FACTORS AND OUTCOMES OF ELECTRICAL STORM AFTER LEFT VENTRICULAR ASSIST DEVICE IMPLANTATION

Electrical storm after Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) is a recognized complication. The risk factors associated with electrical storm, impact on survival is less studied. The aim of this study is to study the incidence, risk factors of electrical storm after LVAD implantation and the impact of electrical storm on survival in patients undergoing LVAD. We performed a retrospective cohort study of all patients who underwent the LVAD implantation from January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2020, at the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Phoenix, and Jacksonville). The incidence and outcomes of electrical storm (≥3 sustained [>30 seconds] ventricular arrhythmia episodes over a 24-hour period) were identified. Among 886 patients who underwent LVAD implantation, electrical storm occurred in 61 (7%) patients after median of 13 days (interquartile range [IQR] 4.5- 302) post LVAD implantation. Thirty-five patients (57.3%) developed electrical storm within 30 days, while 26 patients (42.6%) developed ES at a median of 689 days (IQR of 228-1171) after LVAD. Pre LVAD history of ventricular arrhythmias (43% vs 25%, p-value=0.002) and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) shock (34% vs 22%, p-value=0.024) and history of were significantly associated with electrical storm after LVAD implantation. The 1-year mortality rate after first occurrence of electrical storm was 38%. Following LVAD implantation, the rate of electrical storm was 7% with majority of electrical storm occurring within 30-days of LVAD. Risk factors for electrical storm included pre-implant history of ventricular arrhythmias and ICD shock.

Study on the Thermospheric Density Distribution Pattern during Geomagnetic Activity

The atmospheric density of the thermosphere is a fundamental parameter for spacecraft launch and orbit control. Under magnetic storm conditions, the thermospheric atmospheric density experiences significant fluctuations, which have a negative impact on spacecraft control. Exploring thermospheric density during geomagnetic storms can help to mitigate the effects of such events. Research on the inversion of accelerometer measurements for different satellites and the variations of atmospheric density under extreme conditions is still in its infancy. In this paper, the distribution of atmospheric density during three geomagnetic storms is investigated from the inversion results of the Swarm-C accelerometer. Three major geomagnetic storms and their recovery phases are selected as case studies. The thermospheric density obtained by Swarm-C is separated into day and night regions. The empirical orthogonal function analysis method is used to study the spatiotemporal distribution of thermospheric density during geomagnetic storms. The results indicate that storms have a more significant impact on nighttime thermospheric density. The impact of magnetic storms on the temporal distribution of thermospheric density is considerable. The first-order empirical orthogonal function (EOF) time coefficient value on the day after the storm is the largest, reaching 2–3 times that before the magnetic storm. The impact of magnetic storms on atmospheric density is mainly reflected in the time distribution. The spatial distribution of atmospheric density is less affected by magnetic storms and is relatively stable in the short term. The impact of magnetic storms on the spatial distribution of nighttime thermospheric density is more significant than that of daytime regions, and the response of daytime regions to magnetic storms is slower.

A coupled wave-hydrodynamical model to assess the effect of Mediterranean storms under climate change: The Calabaia case study

Climate change will have an undeniable influence on coastal areas, resulting in increased rates of both sea level rise and storm-related impacts. In this context, it is crucial to estimate the local probable extreme sea wave conditions, to properly reproduce the sea state and the coastal hydrodynamic, and to investigate the effectiveness of sea defenses under sea level rise. This work describes the first steps towards an innovative fully coupled modeling system composed of a wind-sea wave (SWAN) and hydrodynamic model (2DEF). Numerical simulations, focusing on the shoreline of Calabaia, Cosenza, Italy, have been compared to the MIKE model outcomes in the same area. The simulations have been performed to investigate the inshore sea wave characteristics, to assess the effectiveness of the actual sea defense interventions, and to identify the impact of extreme storms, by combining sea level rise and extreme sea wave scenarios with the most recent georeferenced territorial data. The models are two-way coupled at half-hourly intervals exchanging the following fields: 2D sea level, surface currents and bottom elevation are transferred from 2DEF to SWAN; sea wave characteristics computed by SWAN is then passed to 2DEF by modifying the radiation stress.

Landscape change and climate attribution, with a case study of estuarine marshes

Determining effects of climate change on landscapes involves numerous uncertainties. This paper presents and illustrates a protocol for climate attribution of landscape responses. The major steps are ascertaining potential climate-related responses, establishing plausibility for a climatic influence, identifying alternative or additional causes, testing possible climate and non-climate causes, and interpreting the role of climate and climate change in the landscape response. The protocol is based on existing practice in the historical and interpretive branches of Earth and ecological sciences, and explicitly considers negative (non-confirmatory) results for climate and other factors. The protocol is applied to the conversion of brackish marsh to open water in the upper Neuse River estuary, North Carolina. Conversion since at least the mid twentieth century can be attributed to relative sea-level rise, driven primarily by general climate warming, with no supporting evidence for any additional or alternative drivers. The only other factor with supporting evidence is human modification in the form of ditches, around which conversion was concentrated, though marsh loss also occurred in unditched portions. Rapid recent marsh loss is attributable to Hurricane Florence (2018), particularly the storm surge. Weak positive inferential support exists for a role of climate change in the storm, but aspects of the storm's impact not linked to climate are more important for the marsh conversions. Overall, the landscape response can be linked to climate, exacerbated by direct human impacts of marsh ditching, and strongly influenced by local place factors and the specific storm track. Recent and ongoing climate change is a significant factor, but not paramount, in determining the landscape response. The Neuse River case study is not unusual—and is probably typical—in identifying a combination of climate and other factors strongly influencing landscape response.

Simulating a Strong Magnetic Storm Impact on Russia’s Interconnected Power System of Center

Studying of a negative impact of the space weather and magnetic storms as its special case, on the performance of a critical technological infrastructure, with development of methods and means for protecting it is a relevant but difficult task. Many advanced countries, primarily the United States, are dealing with this problem. The article presents the results of elaborating a methodology for computational simulation of the impact of geomagnetically induced currents on large electric power systems. The developed methodology makes it possible to take into account the influence of changes in the reactive power and temperature of power transformer structural elements caused by magnetic biasing of their core, as well as the operation of relay protection. The impact of the geomagnetically induced currents expected during a strong magnetic storm on Russia’s Interconnected Power System of Center, including the power systems of Moscow, Leningrad and other major administrative and industrial regions of the country has been simulated for the first time. It is shown that such impact gives rise to a set of factors that can cause the development of a system-wide accident: a significant decrease in voltage at a number of power system facilities, mass-scale disconnection of power lines by their relay protections, and unacceptable heating of structural elements of some power transformers.

Regional Environmental Cooperation on Transboundary Air Pollution in the Middle East and North Africa

Regional Environmental Cooperation on Transboundary Air Pollution in the Middle East and North Africa Inkyoung Kim (bio) Introduction1 Since the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in 1972, international communities have endeavored to clarify the right and responsibility of states regarding transboundary pollution. Principle 21 of the 1972 Declaration at this Conference stated that countries have "the responsibility to ensure that activities within their jurisdiction or control do not cause damage to the environment of other States or of areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction."2 Europe has been successful in tackling transboundary air pollution through the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution in 1979. Furthermore, the Agenda 21 of the 1992 Declaration of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development urged European countries to share their successful experiences with other regional communities to help them solve transboundary pollution issues. Have European experiences on transboundary air pollution been shared [End Page 1] with the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region? What are the main sources of transboundary air pollution in MENA? To address those issues, what kinds of cooperative mechanisms have been created in this region? While many studies have attempted to tease out the motivations, success, and limitations of European regional environmental cooperation, regional environmental cooperation in MENA has been understudied. This study aims to investigate regional environmental cooperation in MENA, focusing on transboundary air pollution. Transboundary Pollution Most pollution problems are caused by local or regional sources, but pollution does not stay within and stop at national borders. It can travel by air or water thousands of miles. Transboundary flows of pollutants occur among countries in the same region as well as between continents. The United Nations (UN) defines transboundary pollution as "pollution that originates in one country but, by crossing the border through pathways of water or air, is able to cause damage to the environment in another country."3 More specifically, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) defines transboundary air pollution as "air pollution whose physical origin is situated wholly or in part within the area under the national jurisdiction of one State and which as adverse effects in the area under the jurisdiction of another State at such a distance that it is not generally possible to distinguish the contribution of individual emission sources or groups of sources" in Article 1 of the 1979 Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution.4 It is known that some air pollutants circulate even globally and deposit on land and water bodies far from their original sources.5 Acid rain problems in Europe have led 51 countries to adopt the Convention on the Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution and various numbers of countries to ratify eight protocols on the reduction of sulfur, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, persistent organic pollutants, and ozone emissions since 1979.6 East Asia has also addressed acid rain [End Page 2] and dust sandstorms since the 1990s. As the Sahara Desert in North Africa and the whole region of the Middle East are the two hot spots of primary dust storms around the world, it is important to understand what the main sources of dust storms are and if MENA has developed any significant cooperative mechanisms to tackle transboundary impact of dust storms originated in this region. MENA Different entities identify the MENA region differently. For example, the World Bank identifies MENA as one of six regions of the world.7 It classifies the 19 countries or territories as part of the Middle East and North Africa, including Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, West Bank and Gaza, and Yemen.8 The OECD does not include Iran but does include Mauritania and Palestinian Authority instead of West Bank and Gaza. The UN does not identify MENA as one of its five regional groups.9 Its agencies and programs define the MENA region differently and sometimes contradictorily. For instance, United Nations Environment Programme has six regional offices including Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin American and the Caribbean, North America, and West Asia. The regional office for Africa covers the entire African continent...

In the Cone of Concern: Preparing Stroke Survivors for Extreme Hurricanes.

When disasters strike, individuals living with stroke-related disability experience unique challenges and hardships. Climate change is contributing to the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events, including major hurricanes. Cyclonic storms that threaten the health and safety of residents living in coastal and island communities may disproportionately impact stroke survivors. Stroke sequelae may impede individuals' abilities to engage in timely preparedness and self-protective actions when such storms approach. As such, it is imperative that physiatrists and other health care professionals caring for patients living with stroke proactively assist them in identifying their needs and in developing tailored, comprehensive emergency preparedness plans. In this paper, we examine the special needs of and considerations for persons living with stroke sequelae in the times leading up to, during, and after a major hurricane. We also put forward recommendations, specific to the phases of a disaster, regarding how physiatrists can assist patients living with stroke, and their caregivers, to optimize preparedness in advance of a hurricane, and facilitate effective response during storm impact and in the aftermath.

Assessing the impact of sand and dust storm on agriculture: Empirical evidence from Mongolia.

Assessing the economic impact of sand and dust storms provides critical insights to policy development and reforms; a subject that is gaining more attention as risk management becomes the dominant approach for hazard mitigation policies. To assess the causal impact of sand and dust storms on agriculture, specifically on crop and livestock revenue and physical production, random year-to-year variations in dust exposure were analyzed using a fixed effect regression. To complete this analysis, weather and climate data from the on-ground meteorological stations was combined with the household level socioeconomic surveys conducted by Mongolia's National Statistics Office (NSO) over a decade. The descriptive statistics of the meteorological data collected over the eight years period show that, on average, 29 dust events have occurred every year across the country, with greater variation among provinces (Aimags) and regions, reaching up to 108 events in a year in some provinces. The overall trend reveals a slight decrease in the dust events from 2009 to 2019. The econometric results show that value of crop and livestock production (gross income) and physical yields significantly decline in response to higher frequencies of sand and dust storms events. During this period, Mongolia experienced a 2.7% decline in crop revenue as a result of additional sand and dust storms. Assuming 2.7% constant decline in revenues across all agricultural sub-sectors and regions or Aimags, this could lead to about $37.8 million in losses to the economy, which is equivalent to about 0.27% of the national GDP of Mongolia. Increases in the frequency of sand and dust storms could reduce agricultural productivity by between 1.5% to 24%, depending on the crop. Estimates from the modelling exercise are robust to potential endogeneity bias in the measure of sand and dust storms; different specification and identification approaches accounting for the endogeneity bias consistently reveal negative and qualitatively similar impacts of sand and dust storms on crop and livestock productivity.

Resilience assessment and enhancement evaluation of power distribution systems subjected to ice storms

• A probabilistic framework for assessing and evaluating the enhancements of the ice storm resilience of power distribution systems is developed; • Fragility models of power distribution components subjected to ice storms are developed; • Three failure modes of power distribution components induced by trees, ice, and wind, are investigated for the first time; • The impact of tree failures on the resilience of power distribution systems is thoroughly investigated. Overhead power distribution systems are very susceptible to ice storms. Each year power outages due to ice storms result in extensive economical loss and restoration costs all around the world. Climate change and aging further highlight the need for resilient power distribution systems against ice storms. This paper proposes a probabilistic framework for assessing and evaluating the enhancements of the ice storm resilience of power distribution systems, with a focus on fragility modeling of power distribution components (i.e., power poles and wires). The framework is able to assess the impact of ice storms on the resilience of power distribution systems and evaluate the cost-effectiveness of resilience enhancement strategies such as upgrading poles and vegetation management. Specifically, the limitations of tree-induced risk assessment in previous studies are overcome by developing fragility models of tree-induced component failures and using an empirical tree damage fragility function. The fragility of distribution components subjected to ice storms is thoroughly investigated by considering four different failure modes and the effect of wind attack angle. The proposed framework is demonstrated with a power distribution network in Oklahoma.

Martian Atmospheric Temperature and Density Profiles During the First Year of NOMAD/TGO Solar Occultation Measurements

AbstractWe present vertical profiles of temperature and density from solar occultation (SO) observations by the “Nadir and Occultation for Mars Discovery” (NOMAD) spectrometer on board the Trace Gas Orbiter during its first operational year, which covered the second half of Mars Year 34. We used calibrated transmittance spectra in 380 scans, and apply an in‐house pre‐processing to clean data systematics. Temperature and CO2 profiles up to about 90 km, with consistent hydrostatic adjustment, are obtained, after adapting an Earth‐tested retrieval scheme to Mars conditions. Both pre‐processing and retrieval are discussed to illustrate their performance and robustness. Our results reveal the large impact of the MY34 Global Dust Storm (GDS), which warmed the atmosphere at all altitudes. The large GDS aerosols opacity limited the sounding of tropospheric layers. The retrieved temperatures agree well with global climate models (GCM) at tropospheric altitudes, but NOMAD mesospheric temperatures are wavier and globally colder by 10 K in the perihelion season, particularly during the GDS and its decay phase. We observe a warm layer around 80 km during the Southern Spring, especially in the Northern Hemisphere morning terminator, associated to large thermal tides, significantly stronger than in the GCM. Cold mesospheric pockets, close to CO2 condensation temperatures, are more frequently observed than in the GCM. NOMAD CO2 densities show oscillations upon a seasonal trend that track well the latitudinal variations expected. Results uncertainties and suggestions to improve future data re‐analysis are briefly discussed.

Study of the Impact of Strong Magnetic Storm on the Consolidated Power System of the Center of Russia

Study of the Impact of Strong Magnetic Storm on the Consolidated Power System of the Center of Russia

Impact of North African Sand and Dust Storms on the Middle East Using Iraq as an Example: Causes, Sources, and Mitigation

This study aims to determine the reasons for the increase in the frequency of sand and dust storms in the Middle East and to identify their sources and mitigate them. A set of climatic data from 60 years (1960–2022) was analyzed. Sand storms in Iraq are a silty sand mature arkose composed of 72.7% sand, 25.1% silt, and 2.19% clay; the clay fraction in dust storms constitutes 70%, with a small amount of silt (20.6%) and sand (9.4%). Dust and sand storms (%) are composed of quartz (49.2, 67.1), feldspar (4.9, 20.9), calcite (38, 5), gypsum (4.8, 0.4), dolomite (0.8, 1.0), and heavy minerals (3.2, 6.6). Increasing temperatures in Iraq, by an average of 2 °C for sixty years, have contributed to an increase in the number of dust storms from 75 to 200 times annually. North African storms affect the Middle East, with a monthly average exceeding 300 g/m3 in peak dust seasons. To reduce the negative impacts on public health, property, and infrastructure, the study suggests solutions to mitigate them, including reducing carbon dioxide gas emissions to prevent the expansion of drought and the afforestation of the desert with plants adapted to drought using advanced techniques and avoiding land overuse.