Moisture dependence of an African easterly wave within the West African monsoon system

This is partly due to the complex role of moisture, realized through AEW-convection interactions. The goal of this study is to understand how environmental moisture plays a role in influencing the growth and propagation of a case of an AEW-convection system, that became a TC and how that role relates to the West African Monsoon System.

Moisture sensitivity experiments were performed in a regional and convection-permitting novel configuration. It is found that in a moister environment, diabatic heating associated with convection coupled to the wave is shallower, ultimately, weakening the wave amplitude. Energetics are reduced in a moister environment as the African easterly jet strengthens, yet narrows, and shifts northward limiting interaction with the monsoon and the wave-convection system.