Spatiotemporal Assessment of Wind Speed, Relative Humidity, and Dew Point Temperature over Iraq during 1980–2023 under Climate Change

Abstract

This study analyzed annual data for wind speed, direction, relative
humidity, and dew point temperature in selected Iraqi governorates for the period 1980–
2023, using an annual average set from the European Centre for Medium-Range
Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). The data were processed using Grid Analysis and Display
System (GrADS) simulation software, network rendering software, and Sigma Plot
software. A wind speed and direction chart were created to represent the frequency and
intensity of wind directions across different regions, allowing for an understanding of
the changing behavior over the study period. The results showed that northwesterly
winds are dominant across most of Iraq, although wind speed exhibits significant spatial
variation between the northern, central, and southern regions. Furthermore, the analysis
revealed a strong positive correlation between relative humidity and dew point
temperature, both of which are influenced by atmospheric water vapor content. These
findings highlight the importance of incorporating humidity and dew point variables into
wind speed assessments, which could improve our understanding of regional
atmospheric circulation and provide valuable insights for renewable energy planning and
climate studies in Iraq..