Open AccessClimatology of convective available potential energy ( CAPE ) in ERA ‐Interim reanalysis over West Africa
Author(s) -
Meukaleuni Cyrille,
Lenouo André,
Monkam David
Publication year - 2016
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.601
Subject(s) - intertropical convergence zone , convective available potential energy , climatology , convective inhibition , cape , convection , maxima , environmental science , latitude , geography , atmospheric sciences , meteorology , precipitation , geology , history , archaeology , geodesy , natural convection , performance art , art history , combined forced and natural convection
Seasonal study of convective available potential energy ( CAPE ) is done using 6‐h ERA ‐Interim data over West Africa during 35 years (1979–2014). Climatology of CAPE presented in terms of seasonal means, variances and trends shows large values toward 12°–16°N with maxima during summer, according to higher relative humidity due to the arrival of monsoon in West Africa. Spectral analysis in the zone 10°–20°N/20°W–30°E, centered on the latitudes of maxima of CAPE trends at 12°–16°N toward inter‐tropical convergence zone ( ITCZ ) mean position in summer, shows significant power in the 3–5 day within the regions of tropical deep convection in connection with African easterly waves.