Characterization of Heat Waves in the Sahel and Associated Physical Mechanisms

摘要: Great effort is made to address heat waves (HWs) in developed countries because of their devastating impacts on society, economy, and environment. However, HWs are still understudied over developing countries. This particularly true West Africa, especially the Sahel, where temperatures recurrently reach critical values, such as during 2010 HW event western Sahel. work aims at characterizing Sahelian boreal spring seasons (April-May-June) understanding mechanisms associated with extreme events. Over last three decades, have been becoming more frequent, lasting longer, covering larger areas, reaching higher intensities. The physical examined assess respective roles atmospheric dynamics radiative turbulent fluxes by analyzing surface energy budget. Results suggest that greenhouse effect water vapor main driver increasing minimum enhanced downward longwave radiation. Atmospheric circulation plays an important role sustaining these warm anomalies advecting moisture from Atlantic Ocean Guinean coasts into Maximum temperature mostly explained increased shortwave radiation due a reduction cloud cover. Interannual variability affected delayed impact El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), anomalous warming following ENSO events, resulting amplified feedback.