A comparative investigation of weather anomalies over Africa during the 1972 drought and 1977-1978 wet period
Abstract
In 1972 the African continent experienced severe drought
conditions. 'Jh~Sudano-Sahelian drought started in 1968and persisted
through 1974. Contrary to 1972, the years 1977 and 1978 received
near normal rainfall in most parts of Africa except in East Africa
where the rainfall was above normal.
Many comparative studies ha.ve+o <latebeen carried out in
an attempt to understand the possible causes of the Sudano-Sahelian
drought of 1972. In these studies the year 1967 was considered to have
received nearnormal rainfall and subsequently was used in the comparative
studies (Kanamitsu and Krishnamurti, 1977). Furthermore, downward
trend in the Sudano-Sahelian rainfall is believed to have began in the
early 1960'S (Nicholson, 1979). Thus the year 1967 may be considered
part cf the below normal rainfall period. This study investigates the
atmospheric anomalies which leCl.-tQe.bnormally dry weather conditions
in 1972 and near normal rainfall in 1977 and 1978 but wet in East
Africa. Radiosonde wind observations, temperature and geopotential
heigfits have been used over Africa and its neighbourhood for the
standard pressuj;elevels of 850mb, 7001,-0,500mb 300mb and 200mb J
for wind data/and up to 100mb for temprature and geopotential heights
dat. Using mean ,flow pattern, we get out the transient motion systems
which are responsible for weather. The transient wind patterns are
studied together, wi.t.hw ind flow patterns and divergence patterns of
the transient vector and compared to the rainfall and rainfall anomaly
levels during the different seasons 'of1972, 1977 and 1978
Citation
M.Sc (Meteorology)Sponsorhip
University of NairobiPublisher
Department of Meteorology, University of Nairobi
Description
Master of Science Thesis