26th Conference on Hurricanes and Tropical Meteorology

3B.3

The simulation of the seasonal cycle of the West African monsoon in a AGCM

PAPER WITHDRAWN

Serge Janicot, Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique, Palaiseau, France; and G. Blanchon

Two runs have been performed with the French ARPEGE-Climat AGCM forced by SSTs on the period 1959-1995 (version SF1) and on the period 1950-1999 (version SF2). These two simulations reproduce quite well the seasonal cycle of the West African monsoon, especially the abrupt ITCZ shift observed in averaged in the end of June, signing the onset of the summer monsoon. A detailed examination of the atmospheric dynamics associated with this shift in the model is provided, and compared to the dynamics seen in the NCEP-2 reanalyses. High consistency is found between the model and the reanalyses, and the results highlight the role of the Saharan heat low and of the westerly advection of moisture from the northeastern tropical Atlantic.

extended abstract  Extended Abstract (192K)

Session 3B, Monsoon I
Monday, 3 May 2004, 1:30 PM-3:30 PM, Napoleon I Room

Previous paper  Next paper

Browse or search entire meeting

AMS Home Page