Sand drift potential in the desert of Kuwait

Between 1998 and 2001, wind data from eight meteorological stations were analysed to examine sand drift potential (DP) in Kuwait, using Fryberger's [1979. In: McKee, E.D. (Ed.), A study of global sand seas. Professional Paper 1052, United States Geological Survey, US Government Printing Office, Washington, pp. 137-169] method. Resultant DP and directional variability of wind are also calculated and explained. The average annual sand DP is predicted to be 354 VU (vector units). This puts Kuwait, in general, among the intermediate wind energy deserts. Potential sand drift environment is markedly variable from place to place, and 77% of the annual resultant DP occurs during the summer period i.e. May to September. Directional variability is also relatively high in the Summer period. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.