Articles | Volume 19, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-663-2019
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-663-2019
Research article
 | 
17 Jan 2019
Research article |  | 17 Jan 2019

Nocturnal low-level clouds in the atmospheric boundary layer over southern West Africa: an observation-based analysis of conditions and processes

Bianca Adler, Karmen Babić, Norbert Kalthoff, Fabienne Lohou, Marie Lothon, Cheikh Dione, Xabier Pedruzo-Bagazgoitia, and Hendrik Andersen

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Cited articles

Adler, B., Kalthoff, N., and Gantner, L.: Nocturnal low-level clouds over southern West Africa analysed using high-resolution simulations, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 899–910, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-899-2017, 2017. a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k
Babić, K., Adler, B., Kalthoff, N., Andersen, H., Dione, C., Lohou, F., Lothon, M., and Pedruzo-Bagazgoitia, X.: The observed diurnal cycle of nocturnal low-level stratus clouds over southern West Africa: a case study, Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2018-776, in review, 2018. a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n
Bajamgnigni Gbambie, A. and Steyn, D.: Sea breezes at Cotonou and their interaction with the West African monsoon, Int. J. Climatol., 33, 2889–2899, 2013. a
Bauer-Pfundstein, M. R. and Görsdorf, U.: Target separation and classification using cloud radar Doppler-spectra, in: Proceedings 33rd Intern. Conf. on Radar Meteorology, Cairns, Australia, 2007. a
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This study deals with nocturnal stratiform low-level clouds that frequently form in the atmospheric boundary layer over southern West Africa. We use observational data from 11 nights to characterize the clouds and intranight variability of boundary layer conditions as well as to assess the physical processes relevant for cloud formation. We find that cooling is crucial to reach saturation and a large part of the cooling is related to horizontal advection of cool air from the Gulf of Guinea.
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