Rain, Wind, and Dust Connections in the Sahel

The Sahel is a dust source region where emission could be drastically modified in the future due to climatic and land use changes. Based on observations of meteorological parameters concentration for about 1,000 rain events, we investigated processes leading during rainy season when Mesoscale Convective Systems (MCSs) regularly cross Sahel. We show that highest wind speed strongly linked MCS cold pool intensity, which characterized by drop surface temperature. This observed premonsoon period (?May June) midtroposphere still sufficiently dry allow intense evaporation raindrops. Because this coincides with time year least protected vegetative residue, leads our record. Most occur before or just at beginning event allowing large part raised transported ahead limiting removal wet scavenging. Finally, number 5-min higher than 5,000 ?g m?3 almost only occurring season. These results suggest until models fail correctly resolve MCS, it will difficulty obtain reliable estimates from present scenarios.