Major drivers of climate variability affecting the region

Rainfall variability is affected not only by the phases of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), but also by sea-surface temperature (SST) anomalies in the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean. Indeed, La Niña episodes are typically associated with above-average summer precipitation over the Sahel. Positive SST anomalies over the tropical Atlantic Ocean are also usually favourable for above-average summer rainfall over West Africa. Warmer SSTs over the south-western Indian Ocean (SWIO) tend to be associated with above-average rainfall across Southern Africa. Usually, a positive IOD phase contributes to increased convection over the western Indian Ocean and leads to wetter-than-normal conditions over East Africa.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Climate Action