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The nature of rainfall variability in Africa South of the Equator
Author(s) -
Nicholson Sharon E.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
journal of climatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.58
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-0088
pISSN - 0196-1748
DOI - 10.1002/joc.3370060506
Subject(s) - climatology , equator , latitude , anomaly (physics) , spatial coherence , subtropics , geography , geology , coherence (philosophical gambling strategy) , geodesy , mathematics , statistics , physics , condensed matter physics , fishery , biology
The spatial patterns of rainfall variability over southern and equatorial Africa are examined using a regionally averaged data set comprising approximately 700 station records. Seasonal persistence of anomalies is also considered. Typical rainfall departure patterns, or anomaly types, are derived using a linear correlation method to assess the similarity of annual departure maps for the years 1901 to 1973. Six basic types describe most of the variability in the area 0 to 35°S. These indicate a remarkable spatial coherence of anomalies, but with a strong tendency for opposition between the equatorial and subtropical latitudes. The results are given an interpretation in terms of circulation features and synoptic situations affecting southern Africa.