Alexis Wilson, Rosenstiel: African Easterly Waves

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The presentation provides valuable insights into the initial structure of African Easterly Waves that develop in the Caribbean, a region often overlooked in AEW studies. The use of high-resolution field campaign data (CPEX-CV) allows for detailed analysis of individual waves, complementing climatological studies. The argumentation is solid, with clear comparisons between developing and non-developing cases, and between Caribbean and MDR development. The speaker effectively uses multiple data sources (dropsondes, radar, lidar) to support her claims. However, the small sample size (six waves) limits the generalizability of the findings, and the presentation is descriptive rather than quantitative in some aspects.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The scientific rigor is high, with the research based on a well-designed field campaign and appropriate analysis techniques. The speaker references prior studies and uses established methods like wave tracking and bootstrap analysis. The sources cited are primarily from the field campaign and the speaker’s own analysis, with some references to prior literature mentioned in the talk. The title accurately reflects the content, focusing on the initial structure of Caribbean-developing AEWs. The presentation is well-organized and the speaker is knowledgeable, but the lack of a formal publication means some details are not fully peer-reviewed.

The title accurately reflects the content, focusing on African Easterly Waves and their initial structure, with a specific case study from the CPEX-CV campaign.

8/10

The presentation is based on original research using field campaign data (CPEX-CV) and rigorous analysis methods. The speaker is a PhD candidate with relevant expertise. The content is well-structured and includes detailed observations and comparisons. However, the presentation is a seminar talk, not a peer-reviewed publication, and some conclusions are based on a small sample size (six waves).

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

• 02:00Introduction to African Easterly Waves and their role in Atlantic tropical cyclogenesis.
• 05:00Overview of Caribbean climatology, including the Caribbean Low-Level Jet and Choco Jet.
• 10:00Climatological analysis of Caribbean genesis cases, showing pre-genesis environmental anomalies.
• 15:00Discussion of the influence of the MJO and the role of AEWs as moisture sources.
• 20:00Introduction to the CPEX-CV field campaign and the six sampled AEWs.
• 25:00Detailed analysis of Hurricane Fiona, a MDR-developing wave, showing its vertical alignment and moisture structure.
• 30:00Analysis of Hurricane Ian, a Caribbean-developing wave, highlighting its misalignment and moisture protection.
• 35:00Analysis of non-developing wave 95L, showing dry air entrainment and shear issues.
• 40:00Analysis of Hurricane Julia, another Caribbean-developing wave, with a different moisture environment.
• 45:00Summary of findings and implications for understanding Caribbean tropical cyclogenesis.

• CPEX-CV Field Campaign — The field campaign that provided the data for this study.
• ECMWF — Used for reanalysis data to fill gaps in aircraft observations.
• Will Downs' Wave Tracker — Tool used to track African easterly waves in the study.

• African Easterly Wave Climatology — Prior studies on AEW structure and development.