RAINFALL GROUPINGS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Abstract

The spectrum of frequency distributions of annual rainfalls in the Middle East shows groupings about several maxima, which are not easily represented by a Gaussian distributor. A flood-nourished river shows similar groupings of its annual discharges. It is hypothetically suggested that each group of rainfalls is related to a specific Grosswetterlage, whose predominance during a given winter determines the annual rainfall. The grouping are found shifted during long-term periods, indicating the overlying influence of physical factors, affecting the availability of moisture.