Seasonal variation of land-atmosphere coupling strength over the West African monsoon region in an atmospheric general circulation model

HANDLE Open Access

Abstract

The seasonal variation of land-atmosphere coupling strength has been examined using an extended series of atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM) simulations. In the Western Sahel of Africa, strong coupling strength for precipitation is found in April and May, just prior to and at the beginning of the monsoon season. At this time, heat and water fluxes from the surface are strongly controlled by land conditions, and the unstable conditions in the lower level of the troposphere, as induced by local land state, allow the surface fluxes to influence the variability of convective precipitationand thus the timing of monsoon onset.

Journal

Details

  • CRID
    1050564288967875968
  • NII Article ID
    120005476185
  • HANDLE
    2115/57246
  • ISSN
    02626667
  • Text Lang
    en
  • Article Type
    journal article
  • Data Source
    • IRDB
    • CiNii Articles

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