| Abstract: | The sensitivity of the potential for convective precipitation to land surface characteristics in the West African Sudano-Sahelian zone is studied. Simulations are performed with a one-dimensional version of a mesoscale atmospheric model coupled to a detailed land surface model to investigate the influence of the land surface on rain infiltration, surface evapotranspiration, and their impact on the convective available potential energy. The simulations show that the presence of a densely vegetated surface acts as a catalyst in the hydrological cycle, creating a positive feedback and enhancing precipitation recycling. It is argued that this is due to the relation between the characteristic drying-out time of the soil and the return frequency of the rain-triggering African easterly waves. |
