DUST STORM DETECTION USING MODIS DATA OVER THE MIDDLE EAST

Abstract. Dust storms are one of the common phenomena in the arid and semi-arid regions which cause many economic and environmental losses also affect human health. Therefore, it is necessary to be able to detect dust storms. Several methods exist for dust monitoring, such as Ground-based measurements, satellite remote sensing, video surveillance, wireless sensors. Remote sensing technology provides wide coverage, high spectral and temporal resolutions, even near real-time data, which can offer a valuable data source for dust storm monitoring. We used an algorithm based on Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) images for detecting dust storm over the Middle East. The proposed algorithm uses the brightness temperature using multi-bands. The performance of the algorithm was evaluated using the ground-based observations of synoptic stations. The results showed that by applying the algorithm, the dust area can be clearly separated, especially in the regions that cloud is mixed with dust and achieved overall accuracy was ~78%.