Formation of African Easterly Waves and Mesoscale Convective Systems over Eastern Africa

ORAL

Abstract

Based on simulations of Tropical Storm Debby (2006) using the Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) model, the African Easterly Waves (AEWs) during the hurricane season may be generated by the orography and shear zone established by the Asian monsoon currents. The vortices often form on the lee of major mountain ranges. The MCSs are originated from the moist convection over the major mountain ranges as triggered by diurnal sensible heating. An MCS may merge with a vortex in the shear zone and form a coupled AEW-MCS system. The larger-scale environments conducive to the formation of the AEW-MCS system are also investigated, but using a much larger numerical model domain. This work is supported by a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Educational Partnership Program under the cooperative agreement NA06OAR4810187.

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Authors

  • Guoqing Tang

    North Carolina A\&T State University, North Carolina State University, NC A\&T State University

  • Yuh-Lang Lin

    N.C. A\&T State University, N. C. A\&T State University, North Carolina A\&T State University, NC A\&T State University, North Carolina A&T University

  • James Spinks

    North Carolina A\&T State University, NC A\&T State University

  • Wilson Jones

    North Carolina State University, North Carolina A\&T State University, NC A\&T State University