Date of Award

1-1-2012

Language

English

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

College/School/Department

Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences

Content Description

1 online resource (viii, 99 pages) : illustrations (some color), color maps.

Dissertation/Thesis Chair

Christopher D Thorncroft

Committee Members

Paul E Roundy

Keywords

Intraseasonal, Kelvin wave, Monsoon, Sahel, West Africa, Monsoons, Convection (Meteorology), Meteorology

Subject Categories

Atmospheric Sciences | Meteorology

Abstract

Intraseasonal variability of rainfall within the West African Monsoon has been shown to be an important factor in the weather of this region. Multiple factors have been found to contribute to variability at this timescale. Mounier, et al (2008) use EOF analysis to uncover and describe a quasi-stationary dipole of precipitation between the West African Monsoon system and the West Atlantic/Caribbean Sea. This mode, termed the Quasi Biweekly Zonal Dipole mode, operates on timescales of roughly 13 days. The stationary nature of this dipole is focused upon in their work, while the role of Kelvin waves in the mode are considered secondary. In this work, the role of Kelvin waves in the dipole mode is considered. Regression analyses are performed with time lags to observe how the dipole evolves with time. Kelvin waves are observed to dominate the timing and the phase of the dipole mode. Dynamical regressions indicate a possible source region for these Kelvin waves, over the South American continent, as well as the effects the Kelvin waves have on the West African Monsoon system as they enter and exit the region. Impacts on the strength of the Saharan Heat Low and on African Easterly Wave activity are observed. A case study highlighting Kelvin wave activity in relation to the QBZD is also considered. The second EOF pattern is also examined with lagged regressions; a relationship is found between it and the first EOF pattern.

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