Spatial analysis of Climate Hazards affecting the military activities in the Southern Half of Iran

Climate is one of the most important factors in enhancing combat capability in military units. The purpose of this study is spatial analysis of climate hazards affecting military activities in the southern half of the country. For the study, data from 55 synoptic stations with a statistical period of 22 years were used. Dust storms, heat stress, heavy rainfall and sultry conditions were identified as the most important climate hazards affecting military activities in the study area. The frequency of days with dust storm in the north of Sistan and Baluchestan province and in Zabol and Zahak stations is the highest and in terms of temporal behavior, in late spring and summer has the highest frequency of occurrence. The highest frequency of heavy rainfall in the study area was in autumn and winter. Summer is almost the whole region with heat stress. In summer and spring, the highest frequency of sultry intensity has occurred in coastal stations. From the combination of fuzzy maps in GIS software, climate hazard maps were extracted seasonally and annually. In spring and summer in northern Sistan and Baluchestan province and in autumn coastal stations were recognized as the most unfavorable place and winter as the best time for military activities in the southern half of Iran. Khuzestan province, which has a high frequency of heat stress, sultry intensity and heavy rainfall at the same time, is the most undesirable place for the establishment of military units on an annual basis.