Haze layer characterization and associated meteorological controls along the eastern coastal region of southern Africa

Abstract

Episodes of regionally extensive haze were observed over southern African during the dry season intensive of the Southern African Regional Science Initiative (SAFARI 2000). Several case studies of southern African haze layers were examined and characterized in terms of physical structure as they exited off of the eastern coastal region of southern Africa. In situ observations of aerosols and trace gases and their physical and chemical characteristics were collected on board South African Weather Service Aerocommander research aircraft. Haze structure, based on these measurements, is examined as it varies with synoptic type. Despite strong differences in the observed ENSO regime between SAFARI 2000 and that observed during the Southern African Fire‐Atmosphere Research Initiative (SAFARI‐92) and their respective aerosol accumulation mechanisms (col Rrgions/weak anticyclones versus strong anticyclones), a surprising degree of consistency in the observed vertical structure of the lower troposphere was found in southern Africa.