NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data and OI SST data are used to study the atmospheric characteristics associated with Sahel rainfall and its relationship with global SSTs. Results show an evident decadal downward trend in the Sahel rainfall associated with trends in the SSTs. However, when the trend is removed from the original data set, the remaining of the relationship between Sahel rainfall and SSTs in the equatorial Pacific becomes more clear. In particular, Sahel rainfall tends to be abundant during the cold phase of ENSO and drier than normal during the warm phase. Water vapor transports during wet and dry episodes along with the positions of the ITCZ, the African Easterly Jet (AEJ), and the extension of the Tropical Easterly Jet (TEJ) in the Sahel are assessed. Finally, comparisons with ECMWF reanalyses data are presented.
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