Spatial Distribution of Meteorological Parameters Over Suez Gulf, Egypt

The Gulf of Suez is a large, elongated Gulf bordered by the Sinai Peninsula from the east and the eastern desert from the west. It extends for about 300 km with about 50 km width at its widest point. Gulf is surrounded by the Red Sea Mountains from both sides. The meteorological conditions (Air temperature, relative humidity, pressure, wind speed and direction and the rain), were investigated periodically from beginning of January 2021 to ultimately December 2021. The obtained results illustrated that the Gulf of Suez can be divided into three different metrological zones, Zone I includes the northern region of the gulf, Zone II occupies the med zone inclined to eastern coast, and Zone III involves the southern part inclined to the eastern coast to south Sinai. Zone I; characterized by the highest pressure and temperature with the medium wind speed and humidity, Zone II represents the region of the coldest, windiest, highest humidity and the lowest pressure values. While, Zone III is characterized by the lowest humidity values, wind speed and pressure with a medium temperature range. Zone I had the highest temperature ranges (12 to 41 °C) and the average atmospheric pressure of 1013.11mb influenced by high temperatures, meanwhile the highest humidity range was observed in Zone II (33%–53%) and lowest in Zone III (30%–45%). The northeast of the Gulf becomes hotter as a result of the presence of huge urban areas, factories and ports in the Suez region and the global transport traffic crossing the canal, while the southern region gets hotter from solar radiation. The water surface area of the central region increases the chances of evaporation, resulting in higher relative humidity. Temperatures and relative humidity also affect atmospheric pressure. Pressure and relative humidity are a factor affecting wind direction. The bay is also characterized by a scarcity of rain. This study showed that the Gulf of Suez could be divided into three different ranges in air transactions due to the different effects on each region.