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Extreme Weather Events in Africa
Heavy rains in the Sahara and devastating floods in the Sahel highlight the impact of climate change and data scarcity on Africa.
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HealthClimate ChangeNetherlandsAfricaClimateWeatherFloodsData
World Meteorological Organization (Wmo)AfpReutersIpccUn
Houssine YouabebWassila ThiawAbubakr Salih BabikerUlrich Jacques DiassoAïda Diongue-Niang
- How do recent weather patterns compare to previous trends in the region?
- The extreme rainfall, while unusual in the Sahara, is consistent with a trend of more frequent and intense rainfall events in North Africa and the Sahel over the past 20 years, as predicted by weather models.
- What are the contributing factors to the intensity of recent rainfall events?
- Higher temperatures, both on land and sea, increase atmospheric moisture, contributing to more intense rainfall events. The intertropical convergence zone shifted further north than seen in 30 years, contributing to the phenomenon.
- What were the unusual weather events that took place in Morocco and the Sahel region?
- Unprecedented rainfall in the Sahara Desert, resulting in blue lagoons, was a welcome relief for locals facing water shortages but caused devastating floods elsewhere in the Sahel region.
- What are the challenges hindering accurate weather prediction and early warning systems in Africa?
- Data scarcity in Africa, particularly in the Sahel, hinders accurate weather forecasting and early warning systems. This is due to limited weather stations, poor maintenance, conflict, and inadequate data sharing.
- How does the lack of data impact climate research and understanding of the role of climate change in extreme weather events?
- The lack of sufficient data, including historical records, hampers climate research, hindering the ability to assess the role of climate change in devastating floods, like those in the Democratic Republic of Congo.