Mesoscale Convective Systems and Extreme Precipitation on the West African Coast Linked to Ocean–Atmosphere Conditions during the Monsoon Period in the Gulf of Guinea
This study investigates the importance of convective systems for extreme rainfall along the northern coast of the Gulf of Guinea (GG) and their relationship with atmospheric and oceanic conditions. Convective system data (MCSs), daily precipitation, sea surface temperature (SST) and moisture flux an...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Atmosphere |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/15/2/194 |
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| author | Sandrine Djakouré Joël Amouin Kouassi Yves Kouadio Modeste Kacou |
| author_facet | Sandrine Djakouré Joël Amouin Kouassi Yves Kouadio Modeste Kacou |
| author_sort | Sandrine Djakouré |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study investigates the importance of convective systems for extreme rainfall along the northern coast of the Gulf of Guinea (GG) and their relationship with atmospheric and oceanic conditions. Convective system data (MCSs), daily precipitation, sea surface temperature (SST) and moisture flux anomalies from June to September 2007–2016 are used. The results show that 2/3 of MCSs crossing Abidjan are produced in June, which is the core of the major rainy season. Likewise, 2/3 of MCSs originate from continental areas, while 1/3 come from the ocean. Oceanic MCSs are mostly initiated close to the coast, which also corresponds to the Marine Heat Waves region. Continental MCSs are mostly initiated inland. The results also highlight the moisture flux contribution of three zones which have an impact on the onset and the sustaining of MCSs: (i) the seasonal migration of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), (ii) the GG across the northern coastline, and finally (iii) the continent. These contributions of moisture fluxes coincide with oceanic warming off Northeast Brazil and the northern coast of the GG both two days before and the day of extreme rainfall events. The ocean contributes to moisten the atmosphere, and therefore to supply and sustain the MCSs during their lifecycle. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:42:21Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-273219ca1fbd47b68d0450f9753b74b0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4433 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:42:21Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Atmosphere |
| spelling | doaj.art-273219ca1fbd47b68d0450f9753b74b02024-02-23T15:07:07ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332024-02-0115219410.3390/atmos15020194Mesoscale Convective Systems and Extreme Precipitation on the West African Coast Linked to Ocean–Atmosphere Conditions during the Monsoon Period in the Gulf of GuineaSandrine Djakouré0Joël Amouin1Kouassi Yves Kouadio2Modeste Kacou3Laboratory of Matter, Environmental and Solar Energy Sciences (LASMES), Ocean–Atmosphere Interaction Group, University Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan 22 BP 582, Côte d’IvoireLaboratory of Matter, Environmental and Solar Energy Sciences (LASMES), Ocean–Atmosphere Interaction Group, University Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan 22 BP 582, Côte d’IvoireLaboratory of Matter, Environmental and Solar Energy Sciences (LASMES), Ocean–Atmosphere Interaction Group, University Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan 22 BP 582, Côte d’IvoireLaboratory of Matter, Environmental and Solar Energy Sciences (LASMES), Ocean–Atmosphere Interaction Group, University Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan 22 BP 582, Côte d’IvoireThis study investigates the importance of convective systems for extreme rainfall along the northern coast of the Gulf of Guinea (GG) and their relationship with atmospheric and oceanic conditions. Convective system data (MCSs), daily precipitation, sea surface temperature (SST) and moisture flux anomalies from June to September 2007–2016 are used. The results show that 2/3 of MCSs crossing Abidjan are produced in June, which is the core of the major rainy season. Likewise, 2/3 of MCSs originate from continental areas, while 1/3 come from the ocean. Oceanic MCSs are mostly initiated close to the coast, which also corresponds to the Marine Heat Waves region. Continental MCSs are mostly initiated inland. The results also highlight the moisture flux contribution of three zones which have an impact on the onset and the sustaining of MCSs: (i) the seasonal migration of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), (ii) the GG across the northern coastline, and finally (iii) the continent. These contributions of moisture fluxes coincide with oceanic warming off Northeast Brazil and the northern coast of the GG both two days before and the day of extreme rainfall events. The ocean contributes to moisten the atmosphere, and therefore to supply and sustain the MCSs during their lifecycle.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/15/2/194mesoscale convective systemextreme rainfallWest African Monsoonocean–atmosphere conditionsGulf of Guinea |
| spellingShingle | Sandrine Djakouré Joël Amouin Kouassi Yves Kouadio Modeste Kacou Mesoscale Convective Systems and Extreme Precipitation on the West African Coast Linked to Ocean–Atmosphere Conditions during the Monsoon Period in the Gulf of Guinea Atmosphere mesoscale convective system extreme rainfall West African Monsoon ocean–atmosphere conditions Gulf of Guinea |
| title | Mesoscale Convective Systems and Extreme Precipitation on the West African Coast Linked to Ocean–Atmosphere Conditions during the Monsoon Period in the Gulf of Guinea |
| title_full | Mesoscale Convective Systems and Extreme Precipitation on the West African Coast Linked to Ocean–Atmosphere Conditions during the Monsoon Period in the Gulf of Guinea |
| title_fullStr | Mesoscale Convective Systems and Extreme Precipitation on the West African Coast Linked to Ocean–Atmosphere Conditions during the Monsoon Period in the Gulf of Guinea |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mesoscale Convective Systems and Extreme Precipitation on the West African Coast Linked to Ocean–Atmosphere Conditions during the Monsoon Period in the Gulf of Guinea |
| title_short | Mesoscale Convective Systems and Extreme Precipitation on the West African Coast Linked to Ocean–Atmosphere Conditions during the Monsoon Period in the Gulf of Guinea |
| title_sort | mesoscale convective systems and extreme precipitation on the west african coast linked to ocean atmosphere conditions during the monsoon period in the gulf of guinea |
| topic | mesoscale convective system extreme rainfall West African Monsoon ocean–atmosphere conditions Gulf of Guinea |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/15/2/194 |
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