PNNL

Abstract

In this section, West Africa refers to the region between 17.5°W (eastern Atlantic coast) and ~15°E (the western border of Chad), and from 5°N (near the Guinean coast) to 20°N. It is typically divided into two climatically distinct subregions; the semiarid Sahel region (north of about 12°N) and the relatively wet Coast of Guinea region to the south. The rainy period over the region is associated with the latitudinal movement of the convective zone referred to as the West African monsoon which typically occurs during June through September.