Convection over Tropical Africa and the Atlantic Ocean during Northern Summer. Part II: Modulation by Easterly Waves

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Abstract
Using Meteosat data and European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecast (ECMWF) analyses, we examine easterly waves and their relation with the cloudiness over West Africa and the tropical Atlantic Ocean for three summers (June, July, August and September 1983-85). Spectral analysis of the low-level meridional wind in the 2.8–5.1 day band reveals maximum wave amplitude near the West African coast at 20°N. During August and September the wave amplitude is larger than during June and July and a secondary maximum appears around 7.5°N. Composites of the mean structure of the wave and the associated cloud modulation reveal consistent relationship between observed cloudiness and ECMWF analyses. The phase of the wave modulation of the cloudiness is strongly dependent on the geographical location in response to changes in the mean climatological conditions. This phase varies however grossly in four large land and ocean regions, centered at 7.5° and 17.5°N, respectively, for which we derive vertical cro... Abstract Using Meteosat data and European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecast (ECMWF) analyses, we examine easterly waves and their relation with the cloudiness over West Africa and the tropical Atlantic Ocean for three summers (June, July, August and September 1983-85). Spectral analysis of the low-level meridional wind in the 2.8–5.1 day band reveals maximum wave amplitude near the West African coast at 20°N. During August and September the wave amplitude is larger than during June and July and a secondary maximum appears around 7.5°N. Composites of the mean structure of the wave and the associated cloud modulation reveal consistent relationship between observed cloudiness and ECMWF analyses. The phase of the wave modulation of the cloudiness is strongly dependent on the geographical location in response to changes in the mean climatological conditions. This phase varies however grossly in four large land and ocean regions, centered at 7.5° and 17.5°N, respectively, for which we derive vertical cro...

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