Statistical Analysis of Refractivity Gradient and $\beta_{0}$ Parameter in the Gulf Region

In this communication, nine years of local radiosonde meteorological data, from 1997 to 2005, have been used to calculate the vertical refractivity gradient, ΔN, in the lowest atmospheric layer above the ground surface. The values obtained are used to estimate the parameter β
₀
, which represents the probability of non-standard propagation. Hourly, monthly and yearly distributions of ΔN in the first 100 meters above the ground are given. Monthly and yearly variations of the mean of ΔN and β
₀
are provided and the β
₀
values are compared with the ITU maps.