Satellite-Derived Interannual Variability of West African Rainfall during 1983–88

Abstract
Two satellite algorithms for rain estimation are used to study the interannual variability of West African rainfall during contrasting years of the period 1983–88. The first algorithm uses a frequency of occurrence index quantifying the number of times Meteosat thermal infrared radiance below 2.107 W m−2 sr−1 µm−1 (−40°C) occurs during the rainy season. The second algorithm uses the average Meteosat thermal infrared radiance over the period of interest. Appropriate calibrations are performed using these satellite parameters and ground-based rainfall observations. Separate calibration and equations are considered for each of three suggested subrainfall zones in West Africa: two Sahelian zones located just north of 9°N (one cast and one west of 5°W) and the region extending south from 9°N to the coast. Over 80% of the variance in the ground-based rainfall data is explained by both algorithms in regions located north of 9°N, but poor correlations between observed and estimated rainfall exist south o... Abstract Two satellite algorithms for rain estimation are used to study the interannual variability of West African rainfall during contrasting years of the period 1983–88. The first algorithm uses a frequency of occurrence index quantifying the number of times Meteosat thermal infrared radiance below 2.107 W m−2 sr−1 µm−1 (−40°C) occurs during the rainy season. The second algorithm uses the average Meteosat thermal infrared radiance over the period of interest. Appropriate calibrations are performed using these satellite parameters and ground-based rainfall observations. Separate calibration and equations are considered for each of three suggested subrainfall zones in West Africa: two Sahelian zones located just north of 9°N (one cast and one west of 5°W) and the region extending south from 9°N to the coast. Over 80% of the variance in the ground-based rainfall data is explained by both algorithms in regions located north of 9°N, but poor correlations between observed and estimated rainfall exist south o...

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