Interaction between moisture transport and Kelvin waves events over Equatorial Africa through ERA‐interim

Abstract

AbstractThis study examines the moisture transport variability and its interaction between rainfall and Kelvin wave's events over Equatorial Africa using 1979–2010 ERA‐interim reanalysis data, precipitation from Global Precipitation Climatology Project and outgoing long‐wave radiation. Kelvin waves events influenced in Congo basin varies within each rainy season, as the intertropical convergence zone moves through the region. The moisture flux is calculated for the entire tropospheric column (1000–300 hPa) over Central Africa (5–10°N; 5–30°E). Analysis of mean monthly fluxes shows a progressive penetration of the flux into Gulf of Guinea (5°S–5°N; 0–15°E). Mean seasonal values of moisture components across boundaries indicate that the zonal component is the largest contributor to mean moisture over Central Africa, while the meridional component contributes the most over the Gulf of Guinea. Lag correlation between precipitation and moisture is largely dominated over land with a coefficient greater than 0.5, while moisture increases with enhanced phase of Kelvin waves.