Liu et al. (2026) Contrasting impacts of Atlantic and Pacific decadal SST variability on regional Sahel precipitation

⚠️ Warning: This summary was generated from the abstract only, as the full text was not available.

Identification

• Journal: Climate Dynamics
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-10-23
• Authors: Yingxue Liu, Joakim Kjellsson, Abhishek Savita, Hyacinth C. Nnamchi, Wonsun Park
• DOI: 10.1007/s00382-026-08399-3

Research Groups

Not specified in the abstract.

Short Summary

This study investigates the distinct impacts of Atlantic Multidecadal Variability (AMV) and Interdecadal Pacific Variability (IPV) on Sahel precipitation using atmospheric model simulations, revealing that AMV primarily influences the western Sahel via tropical Atlantic circulation, while IPV affects the eastern Sahel through Arabian Sea ascent.

Objective

• To investigate the distinct impacts of Atlantic Multidecadal Variability (AMV) and Interdecadal Pacific Variability (IPV) on Sahel precipitation during June–September (JJAS).

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Sahel region (western and eastern Sahel distinguished), tropical Atlantic, Arabian Sea, Sahara, Guinea coast.
• Temporal Scale: 1950–2013 (64 years), focusing on the June–September (JJAS) season.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: OpenIFS (atmospheric model), 45-member ensemble simulations.
• Data sources: Model simulations (OpenIFS).

Main Results

• Sahel precipitation is enhanced during the positive phase of the AMV (AMV+) and the negative phase of the IPV (IPV−), and reduced during AMV− and IPV+.
• The Sahel precipitation response to the AMV weakens from west to east.
• The Sahel precipitation response to the IPV is stronger in the eastern Sahel.
• AMV+ enhances western Sahel precipitation through a Walker-like circulation with ascent over the tropical Atlantic, associated with a northward shift of the meridional temperature gradient between the Sahara and Guinea coast and a northward shift of monsoon circulation.
• IPV− enhances eastern Sahel precipitation through ascent over the Arabian Sea.
• These results are robust across earlier and recent decades.

Contributions

• Elucidates the distinct spatial patterns and underlying atmospheric mechanisms by which AMV and IPV influence Sahel precipitation.
• Highlights the potential value of AMV and IPV for decadal prediction of Sahel precipitation.
• Demonstrates the robustness of these teleconnections over several decades.

Funding

Not specified in the abstract.

Citation

@article{Liu2026Contrasting,
  author = {Liu, Yingxue and Kjellsson, Joakim and Savita, Abhishek and Nnamchi, Hyacinth C. and Park, Wonsun},
  title = {Contrasting impacts of Atlantic and Pacific decadal SST variability on regional Sahel precipitation},
  journal = {Climate Dynamics},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1007/s00382-026-08399-3},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s00382-026-08399-3}
}