Sensitivity of WRF-Chem simulated Saharan Dust to Tropical Cyclone Debby 2006

Various Tropical Cyclones (TC) forms from tropical easterly waves off the coast of Africa. They are often enveloped in wind-blown Saharan Air Layer (SAL). The SAL is formatted when hot, dry mineral-rich Saharan dust in contacgt with the cool, moist marine air of the Atlantic Ocean. TC activity may be suppresed by introducing dry, stable air into the storm due to the presence of the SAL. Or it may be enhanced by the SAL acting as cloud-nucleating aerosol on the TC development. Characterization of Saharan dust and cloud-nucleating aerosols is going to be investigated using the WRF-Chem (Weather Research and Forecast model coupled with Chemistry) model. Using the data from numerical simulations, the impact of different types and concentrations of dust and aerosols on TC activity will be investigated. In sensitivity of Saharan dust and aerosols, it is expected to provide the scientific understanding between SAL and TC intensification. The WRF-Chem simulation data will be compared with the data obtained from the NOAA Saharan Air Layer Experiment (SALEX) held in 2006.