Extreme Climate Variability over East Africa
Description
East Africa, located approximately within 15S-10N and 20E-55E, comprises parts of Ethiopia & South Sudan, eastern half of Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Somalia, Kenya, and Tanzania. The region is characterized by complex topography including the Great East African Rift Valley, inland lakes and larger river systems. As a low-latitude region, the region receives its annual rainfall in one or two rain seasons: namely March-May, October, November or December-February. This study aims to analyze extreme climate variability as expressed by extreme rainfall and extreme droughts during the March-May season. We investigate variability by comparing a very wet and a very dry season during 2024 and 2022, respectively. Millions of people across East Africa were affected by the lack of rain and crop yield failure during 2022. The wet season in 2024 that resulted in flooding and associated crop and agricultural land damage will be compared with the drought year in 2022. Mechanisms that influence extremes will be studied. Additionally, extreme conditions associated with tropical cyclones such as Hidaya and Ialy will be investigated, and the impacts will be assessed.