The Arabian Peninsula has among the hottest and driest conditions found anywhere in the world. The hot desert conditions induce a strong seasonal wind pattern in the region, known as the monsoon. Although we often associate "monsoon" with flooding rains, it comes from an Arabic word meaning "season."

During the summer, winds blow unabated toward the hot interior of the Arabian Peninsula, whereas in winter, the winds are in the south and blow off the land. In northern regions, continental winds usher in cold Siberian air which wrings some rain and snow out of the sky along the coasts.

Across the Middle East, summer temperatures are usually around 85 F, but often soar above 100. In Baghdad, the record high is 120 F; in Basra, 124 F, the highest temperatures recorded in any major Middle Eastern city. In the Saudi desert, however, temperatures over 120 F are common.

Most storms crossing the Middle East become dust- or sandstorms when strong winds whip the dry desert surface; as many as 38 occur annually.

Thanks to our contributing writer, meteorologist Keith Heidorn. You can hear this or any of our shows on the web at www.weathernotebook.org. We are funded by Subaru of America and the National Science Foundation. Special funding comes from Davis Instruments, makers of the Vantage Pro wireless weather station.