@article{PAR00011061,
  title = {{M}onitoring the {W}est {A}frican heat low at seasonal and intra-seasonal timescales using {AMSU}-{A} sounder},
  author = {{L}avaysse, {C}. and {E}ymard, {L}aurence and {F}lamant, {C}. and {K}arbou, {F}. and {M}imouni, {M}. and {S}aci, {A}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{T}he {S}aharan heat low ({SHL}) is defined as a stationary thermal depression below 700h{P}a located over the {S}ahara during the boreal summer season. {T}his feature has a significant impact on the seasonal and intra-seasonal variability of rainfall over the {S}ahel. {F}or various reasons, few observations are assimilated in operational numerical weather prediction models, especially surface sensitive observations. {I}n this study we make use of the advanced microwave sounding unit ({AMSU}-{A}) brightness temperatures measured at 52.8{GH}z (noted {A}4 hereafter) and at 53.6{GH}z (noted {A}5 hereafter) to detect the heat low and to characterize its intensity at the seasonal and intra-seasonal scales. {I}n terms of seasonal variability, {AMSU}-based estimates of {SHL} are found in good agreement with those based on the {E}uropean {C}enter {M}edium-range {W}eather {F}orecast {ERA}-{I} reanalyses for the period ranging from 2000 to 2011. {H}owever, differences exist between the two datasets at intraseasonal timescale. {T}hey may be related to mismatches between the numerical weather prediction model levels and the level of maximum of sensitivity of the {AMSU} observations. {P}articular meteorological situations can also explain some differences between the two types of products, as there is a lack of assimilated observations in this region. {F}inally, we show that the {A}4 brightness temperature is a suitable proxy to provide a good estimate of the location and the intensity of the {SHL} from daily to seasonal timescales.},
  keywords = {{W}est {A}frican monsoon ; {AMSU} sounder ; heat {L}ow ; {AFRIQUE} {DE} {L}'{OUEST}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{A}tmospheric {S}cience {L}etters},
  volume = {14},
  numero = {4},
  pages = {263--271},
  ISSN = {1530-261{X}},
  year = {2013},
  DOI = {10.1002/asl2.449},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/{PAR}00011061},
}