Seasonal cycle of convective spells over southern Africa during austral summer

Abstract

The seasonal progression of summer wet spells over southern Africa is investigated. The November to March rainy season is modulated at the intraseasonal scale, with major wet spells every 20-30 days and internal evolution at higher frequencies. Corresponding circulation patterns for each wet spell illustrate the variable dynamics and physics as the season progresses. Early summer rainfall is associated with enhanced baroclinic westerly shear from the upper troposphere of the tropical Atlantic Ocean, whereas low-level moisture is advected from the central Indian )cean. Extratropical westerly wave action is an important influence during early summer. As the summer season progresses, heating causes a retreat of the subtropical westerly jet stream. A quasi-stationary line of confluence along 20°S develops in the low levels during late summer, and extends from the Mozambique Channel to Angola. This trough is supported by an influx of moisture from the Congo and southern Mozambique Channel. Composite differences between early and late summer wet spells are evaluated numerically for the first time in this presentation.