Open AccessOnset, retreat and length of the rainy season over Cameroon
Author(s) -
Guenang G. M.,
Mkankam Kamga F.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
atmospheric science letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.951
H-Index - 45
ISSN - 1530-261X
DOI - 10.1002/asl.371
Subject(s) - wet season , precipitation , climatology , dry season , general circulation model , environmental science , winter season , climate change , geography , meteorology , geology , oceanography , cartography
Observed precipitation from 24 stations in Cameroon during 1962–1993 were used to study onset, retreat and length of the rainy season. Results were compared to control simulations by four IPCC 4AR AOGCMs. CSIRO‐mk3.5 and MPI‐echam5 AOGCMs best captured onset, retreat and duration of the rainy season. Projections for 2082–2098 under the SRES A2 emission scenario were also analysed. For that period, onset dates are expected to be later by 1 pentad or more than in the current climate and retreat by less than half a pentad in zones 1 and 2. This will lead to a slight decrease in the duration of the rainy season. The situation is reverse in zone 3, where the season will be longer. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society