On the diurnal cycle of cloudiness over Lake Victoria and its influence on evaporation from the lake

Abstract

The diurnal cycle of convective activity and cloudiness over Lake Victoria, is examined using infrared satellite data. The results indicate that geographically distinct patterns of convection occur. Maximum convective activity occurs over the northwestern quadrant of the lake and tends to occur during the night time. There is a similar pattern in the southwest but the convection is relatively infrequent. In the eastern quadrants convective activity is somewhat weaker than in the northwest, but considerably stronger than in the surrounding catchment. There maximum convection occurs during late afternoon and early evening hours during most months, as over the surrounding land. The influence of the diurnal cycle of cloudiness on evaporation is also assessed, using both two simplistic scenarios and using realistic estimates. The calculations indicate that the actual diurnal cycles have a significant impact on evaporation, such that it ranges from 1527 mm year−1 in the northwest to 1164 mm year−1 in the southeast.