African aerosol and precipitation in the Atlantic ITCZ

This study explores possible effects of African aerosol in short-term (seasonal, interannual and decadal) climate variability of precipitation in the Atlantic ITCZ. Satellite observations of aerosol and precipitation are analyzed to seek large-scale coherence between the two. An EOF analysis identifies the large-scale pattern of the interannual variability in aerosol. The principal component of the leading mode is used as a reference time series to define periods of above or below normal aerosol concentration. Composites of ITCZ precipitation during these two types of periods are made and compared. Next, an SVD analysis is applied to aerosol and precipitation to derive their large-scale coherent patterns. The results indicate a possible role of African aerosol in the predictability of precipitation in the Atlantic ITCZ.