Understanding the Seasonal Cycle of Rainfall over Northern Africa

Cornell Univ - State: Awds Made Prior May 2010, Ithaca NY

Investigators

Abstract

Effective prediction of prolonged dry or wet periods, or delays in the onset of summer rains in northern Africa on regional space scales and intraseasonal to interannual timescales would improve resource management and disaster preparation. For this, a better fundamental understanding of the cycle of rainfall must be achieved. The objectives of this research project are an improved understanding of the physical processes that lead to the observed seasonal evolution of rainy seasons over northern Africa and their association with interannual variations. The focus is on the West African monsoon-type system and on the drought-prone regions of East Africa. Observations, reanalysis data and regional numerical modeling will be used to identify the factors in the forcing or the internal regional climate system that explain what drives the rainfall season. An undergraduate student, graduate students and a post-doctoral researcher will participate in the research.