Climate zoning based on factor analysis and cluster analysis of a case study of Karoun and Dez rivers in south-west of Iran

Volume 1, Issue 4 - Serial Number 4
Winter 2019
Pages 326-342

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Geography, Najaf Abad Unit, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran

2 Meteorological Institute

Abstract
Climate pattern in each area is affected by a number of various climatic elements in that area. The identification of main constructive climate elements in each area to determine the climatic potentials of that area can be very effective. In this study for the climatic zoning of Karoun catchment, the data from 32 synoptic and climatology stations such as Khouzestan, Lorestan, Ilam, Bousher, Kohkiloye and Boyerahmad, Isfahan, Chahar Mahal and also 53 climatic variables are used. Using Kringing interpolation method, data matrix of 53×650 is gained and has become the basis of regional classification. Factor analysis with varimax method and hierarchical cluster analysis method in the form of ward are used to decrease the dimensions of data matrix and to zone the climate of catchment respectively. The results of the analysis of selected climatic variables in Karoun and Dez catchment reveal that six factors are influential in the climate of area. These six factors explain 92/87٪ of the variance of variables. These features are such as the first feature with component 40/7٪ being temperature-wind factor. The second factor with component 30.74 ٪ is precipitation factor. The third factor with component 11.62 ٪ is wet one. The forth factor with component 4.03٪ is thunderstorm one. The fifth factor with component 2.9 ٪ is the factor of the relative wet humid factor and the sixth factor has component 2.8 ٪.

Keywords