Intraseasonal modulation of sea surface temperatures in the Tropical North Atlantic by African Easterly Waves

Mendy, Marc Kakante; Gasparin, Florent; Gévaudan, Manon; Diakhaté, Moussa; Sakho, Issa; Jouanno, Julien

doi:10.5194/os-22-1745-2026

Articles | Volume 22, issue 3

https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-1745-2026

© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-1745-2026

© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Articles | Volume 22, issue 3

Research article

|

02 Jun 2026

Research article |

| 02 Jun 2026

Intraseasonal modulation of sea surface temperatures in the Tropical North Atlantic by African Easterly Waves

Marc Kakante Mendy, Florent Gasparin, Manon Gévaudan, Moussa Diakhaté, Issa Sakho, and Julien Jouanno

Data sets

Numerical output used for diagnostics in Mendy et al. Marc Kakante Mendy https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.30095101.v1

Short summary

The North Tropical Atlantic plays an important role in shaping climate in the region. In our study we examined how African Easterly Waves influence the ocean surface. Using numerical modelling and buoy records, we found that these waves can warm or cool the sea by more than half a degree. The faster waves have the strongest impact. Because sea temperature affects rainfall and storms, understanding these waves can help improve weather and climate forecasts.