West African Monsoon Experiment using RegCM2 + - Ernest A. Afiesimama - Ernest A. Afiesimama presenting …. presenting ….

MOTIVATION Precipitation is the most important limiting factor in agriculture and water resources – so to examine the main features at the peak of the West African monsoon in the model Precipitation is the most important limiting factor in agriculture and water resources – so to examine the main features at the peak of the West African monsoon in the model Can the model capture dry and wet years over the region? Can the model capture dry and wet years over the region?

DOMAIN PARAMETERS Map Projection : MERCATOR 80 grid points N - S 121 grid points E - W 14 vertical levels 50km resolution August (1983, )

MODEL PHYSICS Cumulus param. Scheme - Grell Cumulus param. Scheme - Grell Closure Assumption - AS Closure Assumption - AS LBC - Relaxation technique LBC - Relaxation technique PBL - Holtslag PBL PBL - Holtslag PBL

NETWORK OF STATIONS OVER WEST AFRICA

SUMMARY The model captured the region of the The model captured the region of the L. D. S in summer L. D. S in summer Regions of extreme precipitation were simulated Regions of extreme precipitation were simulated The axis of maximum convective activity was captured though not as far north as in the observed The axis of maximum convective activity was captured though not as far north as in the observed Considering the fact that CRU dataset is constrained by lack of adequate obs. in the region, further evaluation will be done at least on localized scale. Considering the fact that CRU dataset is constrained by lack of adequate obs. in the region, further evaluation will be done at least on localized scale. The model seems to be weak in the convection scheme over the region The model seems to be weak in the convection scheme over the region

FUTURE PLAN To examine the new model’s (particularly the convection scheme) capability over the region To examine the new model’s (particularly the convection scheme) capability over the region Source for Institutional support and collaboration Source for Institutional support and collaboration Areas of Application Areas of Application - To provide scenarios of future climate over the region - To provide scenarios of future climate over the region - To assess the impacts of Climate Change (e.g on - To assess the impacts of Climate Change (e.g on Agriculture and Water resources) Agriculture and Water resources) - To assess the vulnerability of the socio-economic - To assess the vulnerability of the socio-economic systems of West Africa to Climate Change systems of West Africa to Climate Change