Summer Dust Emissions From the Etosha Pan, Namibia: The Role of the Namib Anabatic‐Sea Breeze System

This paper utilizes Aerosol Index (AI) data from the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) instrument, along with ERA5 reanalysis data, to identify atmospheric processes contributing uplift of dust Etosha Pan through annual cycle. is one most prominent source areas in Southern Hemisphere, although very little known about its meteorology outside peak season (August–October). Emissions December (AI = 1.6) are shown be comparable those September 1.7), dustiest month TOMS record. Unlike however, when a nocturnal low-level jet primary emission mechanism, associated an anabatic-sea breeze that develops Namib coast, and propagates inland reach during evening. The system response thermal contrast between elevated interior plateau adjacent waters cool Benguela Upwelling System, so at strongest austral summer, area maximum diabatic heating shifts south over southern Africa. Topographic channeling flow east-west orientated Hoanib River valley facilitate propagation breeze, explains persistence Etosha's latitude. Evening surface winds Etosha, significantly stronger dustier months, subcontinent hence zonal gradient enhanced.