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The West African Monsoon (What is it? (Line across Africa is a climatic…
The West African Monsoon
What is it?
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Line across Africa is a climatic feature- controlled by dynamic interaction between vegetation, rainfall and atmospheric circulation
North of line: life v had, no agricultural production
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If line shifts south people could starve, if life shifts north people are prosperous
Moist convection in the south, dry convective in north (Harmattan winds)- "natural lab" for tropical continental convection
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The Sahel
In winter, reversal of winds- harmattan winds extend to south coast bringing dry land- change in vegetation
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Disease is endemic- strongly climate dependent (mosquitos thrive in moist warm air)- mortality under 5 is 30%
Rainfall in Sahel in any year can vary by factor of 2, over 10km distance
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The monsoon onset
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Involves strengthening of monsoon winds, a weakening of Northeasterly harmattan
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