Archive | 2019
Estimating Zonal Ekman Transport along Coastal Senegal during Passage of Hurricane Fred (2015) from August 30 to 31, 2015
Abstract
We examine the role of zonal Ekman transport along the coast of Senegal on 30 August, 12 2015 when the tropical disturbance associated with Tropical Cyclone Fred was located to the west 13 of Senegal causing considerable coastal damage to coastal areas south of Dakar, Senegal. Ten14 meter winds from three Weather Research and Forecast model simulations were used to estimate 15 zonal Ekman transport, with the largest values found during the 30 August. The simulations are 16 in agreement with limited coastal observations showing increasing southerly wind speeds during 17 30 August but are overestimated relative to the 3 coastal stations. The strong meridional winds 18 translate into increased zonal Ekman transport to the coast of Senegal on 30 August. The use of a 19 coupled ocean model will improve the estimates of Ekman transport along the Guinea-Senegalese 20 coast. The observed damage suggests that artificial and natural barriers (mangroves) should be 21 strengthened to protect coastal communities in Senegal. 22