Multiyear simulation of the African climate using a regional climate model (RegCM3) with the high resolution ERA-interim reanalysis |
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| Authors: | Mouhamadou Bamba Sylla E Coppola L Mariotti F Giorgi P M Ruti A Dell’Aquila X Bi |
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| Institution: | (1) Laboratory for Atmospheric Physics, Simeon Fongang (LPASF), Polytechnic School, Cheikh Anta Diop University, BP 5085, Dakar-Fann, Dakar, Senegal;(2) Physics of Weather and Climate Group, Earth System Physics Section, International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Trieste, Italy;(3) Department of Physics, Centre of Excellence CETEMPS, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy;(4) Ente per le Nuove Technologie, l’Energia e l’Ambiente (ENEA), Climate Section, Casaccia Center, Rome, Italy |
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| Abstract: | This study examines the ability of the latest version of the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) regional
climate model (RegCM3) to reproduce seasonal mean climatologies, annual cycle and interannual variability over the entire
African continent and different climate subregions. The new European Center for Medium Range Weather Forecast (ECMWF) ERA-interim
reanalysis is used to provide initial and lateral boundary conditions for the RegCM3 simulation. Seasonal mean values of zonal
wind profile, temperature, precipitation and associated low level circulations are shown to be realistically simulated, although
the regional model still shows some deficiencies. The West Africa monsoon flow is somewhat overestimated and the Africa Easterly
Jet (AEJ) core intensity is underestimated. Despite these biases, there is a marked improvement in these simulated model variables
compared to previous applications of this model over Africa. The mean annual cycle of precipitation, including single and
multiple rainy seasons, is well captured over most African subregions, in some cases even improving the quality of the ERA-interim
reanalysis. Similarly, the observed precipitation interannual variability is well reproduced by the regional model over most
regions, mostly following, and sometimes improving, the quality of the ERA-interim reanalysis. It is assessed that the performance
of this model over the entire African domain is of sufficient quality for application to the study of climate change and climate
variability over the African continent. |
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