Seasonality and trends of drivers of mesoscale convective systems in southern West Africa

Klein, Cornelia ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6686-0458; Nkrumah, Francis; Taylor, Christopher M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0120-3198; Adefisan, Elijah A.. 2021 Seasonality and trends of drivers of mesoscale convective systems in southern West Africa. Journal of Climate, 34 (1). 71-87. https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-20-0194.1

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Abstract/Summary

Mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) are the major source of extreme rainfall over land in the tropics and are expected to intensify with global warming. In the Sahel, changes in surface temperature gradients and associated changes in wind shear have been found to be important for MCS intensification in recent decades. Here we extend that analysis to southern West Africa (SWA) by combining 34 years of cloud-top temperatures with rainfall and reanalysis data. We identify clear trends in intense MCSs since 1983 and their associated atmospheric drivers. We also find a marked annual cycle in the drivers, linked to changes in the convective regime during the progression of the West African monsoon. Before the peak of the first rainy season, we identify a shear regime where increased temperature gradients play a crucial role for MCS intensity trends. From June onward, SWA moves into a less unstable, moist regime during which MCS trends are mainly linked to frequency increase and may be more influenced by total column water vapor. However, during both seasons we find that MCSs with the most intense convection occur in an environment with stronger wind shear, increased low-level humidity, and drier midlevels. Comparing the sensitivity of MCS intensity and peak rainfall to low-level moisture and wind shear conditions preceding events, we find a dominant role for wind shear. We conclude that MCS trends are directly linked to a strengthening of two distinct convective regimes that cause the seasonal change of SWA MCS characteristics. However, the convective environment that ultimately produces the most intense MCSs remains the same.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-20-0194.1
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Hydro-climate Risks (Science Area 2017-)
ISSN:	0894-8755
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.
Additional Keywords:	convective storms, seasonal variability, trends
NORA Subject Terms:	Atmospheric Sciences
Date made live:	08 Mar 2021 12:26 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/529840

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