Kpaikpai Batebana - Assistant Lecturer, College of Atmospheric Sciences, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
Bob Alex Ogwang - Assistant Lecturer, Uganda National Meteorological Authority, Kampala, Uganda
Zin Mie Mie Sein - Assistant Lecturer, Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, Myanmar
Faustin Katchele Ogou - Assistant Lecturer, College of Atmospheric Sciences, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
Victor Ongoma - Assistant Lecturer, Department of Meteorology, South Eastern Kenya University, Kitui, Kenya
Jean Paul Ngarukiyimana - Assistant Lecturer, College of Atmospheric Sciences, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China

This study investigates the atmospheric circulation associated with extreme rainfall events over the coastal West Africa. The rainfall data of this study were obtained from the Global Precipitation Climatology Centre (GPCC), spanning from ۱۹۸۱ to ۲۰۱۰. The atmospheric datasets were also obtained from the ERA-Interim reanalysis. The study employed the Z-Index to categorize dry and wet years into seven distinct grades. The analyses focused on the summer monsoon rainfall season experienced in July to September (JAS). The extreme drought years were identified to be ۱۹۸۲ and ۱۹۸۳, while extreme wet years were pointed out to be ۱۹۹۹ and ۲۰۰۷. The area of study was dominated by anomalous westerly moisture transport, characterized by convergence at low level during wet years. The major source of moisture over the study area is Atlantic Ocean. Dry and wet years are characterized by positive and negative low-level geopotential height anomalies, respectively. Although the results of this study do not give a diagnosis of the reported rainfall variability, the information herein can be useful in the monitoring and update of seasonal forecasts. Accurate and reliable seasonal forecasting is beneficial in that it helps us minimize loss of lives and destruction of property.

Drought, Rainfall, West Africa, Variability