Analysis of Climatic Drought in Syria Using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), 1993–2023
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37375/jlgs.v6i2.200Keywords:
Climatic Drought, Standardized Precipitation Index, Relative Frequency, Extreme drought, Severe droughtAbstract
This study analyzes drought periods at thirteen rainfall stations in Syria, which encompasses semi-humid and semi-arid climatic zones, using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI). Relative frequencies of drought categories were calculated, and produces GIS-based drought maps of these periods. Results show that >50% of years across all stations were normal. The study period was divided into three time periods to identify the driest period and assess the severity of the drought. It was observed that the moderate drought category was the most frequent during the three periods, with the highest frequency recorded during the first period (1993-2002) at Bouqa station at 40%, and 30.77% of the area affected by drought, which means partial regional drought. The highest frequency was recorded during the second period (2003-2012) at Qamishli station at 30%, and 23.08% of the area affected by drought which indicates local drought. During the third period (2013-2023), the highest frequency of moderate drought was recorded at Salkhad station at 27.3%, and 23.08% of the area affected by drought, whereas the frequency of severe and extreme drought was low, not exceeding 10%, in all stations with both semi-humid and semi-arid climates.
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