Analysis of the West African rainfall using a Regional Climate Model

The West African climate was simulated over the 1984–1992 period using a regional climate model (MAR). The simulated results were compared with the climate research unit (CRU) data at interannual, annual and seasonal scales over the Guinean, Sudanese and Sahelian zones which present different rainfall regimes. The rainfall patterns were correctly reproduced by the model and found to be in good agreement with the CRU climatology. In addition, the atmospheric dynamic which influences the West African rainfall was correctly simulated according to the European centre for medium-range weather forecast (ECMWF) reanalyses. As a result, the MAR could be a valuable tool for studying the impacts of the rainfall variability on the agricultural productions in the West African countries.