The Department of Geography held a discussion session for a Master\’s thesis titled \’The Impact of High-Pressure Systems on Temperature and Wind in the Mountainous Region of Iraq

The Department of Geography at the College of Education for Human Sciences, University of Samarra, discussed a Master\’s thesis entitled \”High-Pressure Systems and Their Impact on Temperature and Wind in the Mountainous Region of Iraq\” submitted by the student Nabaa Basim Saleh.

The thesis aimed to examine the effects of the major high-pressure systems, namely the Siberian High, the European High, and the Subtropical Highs, on temperature and wind conditions in the mountainous regions of Iraq. The study relied on data obtained from the meteorological stations of Erbil, Duhok, Sulaymaniyah, and Sinjar, in addition to analyzing upper-air weather charts at the 1000 and 850 millibar levels for the period (1994–2024).

The findings revealed a reciprocal relationship between processes occurring at the Earth\’s surface and those in the upper atmospheric layers, influenced by several factors, including climate change. The study also indicated that the phenomenon of declining wind speed, known as “global stilling,” has become noticeable in various regions of the world, which has consequently affected near-surface wind speed rates.

Furthermore, the researcher demonstrated that three-quarters or more of the variation in the frequency of the Siberian and European Highs explains the studied climatic changes. In contrast, the topographical characteristics of the mountainous region contributed to reducing the effects of the Subtropical Highs. The study emphasized the importance of monitoring the frequency and persistence of high-pressure systems, given their significant role in understanding the overall climate and interpreting variations in their impacts according to their origin, source, and intensity.

In conclusion, the study found that air temperature is the climatic element most strongly associated with the phenomenon of atmospheric stilling. It also concluded that recorded wind-speed values do not always reflect actual wind speeds, as they are rapidly influenced by changes associated with atmospheric pressure.

Edited by: Hanan Mahmoud Abdul Rahim

Photography: Hisham Khalil

College of Education for Human Sciences

University of Samarra