Coming to us from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida, Keri is a
senior majoring in Applied Meteorology with a minor in Applied Mathematics.
The West African Monsoon occurs in West Africa during the summer months from May
to October, bringing seasonal rains to the region. During this monsoon season,
the African Easterly Jet develops as a result of the temperature and moisture
gradients that occur over West Africa from the Gulf of Guinea to the Saharan
desert. Within this jet, African easterly waves (AEWs) are formed. These
disturbances are important to study and understand as they may propagate over
the Atlantic and become hurricanes.
In this study, we used a regional simulation over West Africa with the Weather
Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model. To validate the model runs, we compared
the base states of multiple variables produced by the model to those of
ERA-Interim reanalysis data. After validating the model, we hope to study the
conditions that cause variations in the strength of easterly waves and to
understand the influence these waves have on convection over West Africa. To
determine what effect AEWs have on the characteristics of convection over the
region, we will complete a series of model runs filtering the AEW information
out of the ERA-Interim input data. Finally, we hope to extend the model domain
west over the Atlantic and study the conditions that form AEWs that evolve into
hurricanes.
Keri's summer research poster,
Modeling the West African Monsoon and the Formation of African Easterly Waves, may be found here (2MB).
Keri's research interests include climate dynamics, climate modeling, climate
variability, climate policy, tropical meteoroloty and education & outreach.
She enjoys horseback riding, yoga, baking and sewing.
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