A generalized network design methodology was developed by using the basic entropy concept introduced by Shannon in communication engineering. In order to select potential sites for meteorological network expansion purposes, the meteorological variabilities were assessed by interpolating meteorological information at various gauged and ungauged locations. To obtain a better understanding of the meteorological variabilities in border areas and in coastal regions, a comprehensive data base was developed by including bordering meteorological stations from Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Syria, Somali, Ethiopia, Sudan, Egypt, North Yemen and South Yemen. The meteorological data for these countries were obtained for a period of nine years (1970–78). For computational convenience, the study area was divided into three subregions. The concurrent observations for all selected stations in each subregion were obtained by processing the daily meteorological r... Abstract A generalized network design methodology was developed by using the basic entropy concept introduced by Shannon in communication engineering. In order to select potential sites for meteorological network expansion purposes, the meteorological variabilities were assessed by interpolating meteorological information at various gauged and ungauged locations. To obtain a better understanding of the meteorological variabilities in border areas and in coastal regions, a comprehensive data base was developed by including bordering meteorological stations from Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Syria, Somali, Ethiopia, Sudan, Egypt, North Yemen and South Yemen. The meteorological data for these countries were obtained for a period of nine years (1970–78). For computational convenience, the study area was divided into three subregions. The concurrent observations for all selected stations in each subregion were obtained by processing the daily meteorological r...