Intraseasonal variability of African easterly wave activity

While a considerable amount of research has been carried out on the West African monsoon (WAM) at relatively long, seasonal-to-decadal timescales our knowledge and understanding of the intraseasonal variability of the WAM and how this impacts the weather is very limited. We continue to lack information about the nature, causes and predictability of such variability and related extremes in the West African region. In this study we will highlight the nature and causes of intraseasonal variability of African easterly wave (AEW) activity and will focus our attention on the pronounced quasi-biweekly timescale that has previously been identified in rainfall. Diagnostics based on ECMWF Interim reanalysis and Satellite brightness temperature will be shown to highlight the nature of the AEW variability and the extent to which this relates to variability in the African easterly jet and convective triggers.