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Investigation of anomalous propagation conditions in Central and West African stations using high-resolution GPS radiosonde observations

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Abstract

A comprehensive study on the anomalous propagation (AP) conditions occurring over the central and west African stations was made from 2 years (January 2005–December 2006) high-resolution data measured by GPS (Global Positioning System) radio survey observations. Through data quality control and diagnostic analysis, the probability of AP occurrence and characteristic quantities of the three typical anomalous propagation conditions were given. The sub-refraction, super-refraction and ducting cases were investigated statistically using the vertical profile of modified refractivity gradient. Strong diurnal variation in the percentage occurrence of the AP had its peak during the wet months, while the dry months had the lowest values. From 0600 to 1800 local time (LT) at day (1800–0600 LT at night), the total percentage occurrence of super-refraction, sub-refraction and ducting were 82.5% (78.5%), 11% (15.5%) and 6.5% (6%), respectively. Besides statistical results, local meteorological conditions prevailing over central and west Africa have also been discussed.

Highlights

  • Seasonal maps of occurrence of sub-refraction, super-refraction and ducting layers have been constructed.

  • The daytime (0006–1800 local time) is seldom affected by ducting as a result of the ceaseless and intense heat activity.

  • The refractivity index was obtained from in-situ measurements performed at the 19 stations.

  • Sub-refractive prevails at daytime whereas super-refractive and ducting are observed at night time (1800–0006 local time).

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Acknowledgement

Our sincere appreciation goes to AMMA for providing the radio survey data used for the analysis in our work (http://www.amma-international.org).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Electrical and Telecommunication Engineering, National Advanced School of Engineering, University of Yaoundé I, P.O. Box 8390, Yaoundé, Cameroon

    Samuel Kaissassou

  2. Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Douala, P.O. Box 24157, Douala, Cameroon

    A Lenouo

  3. LEMAP, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, P.O. Box 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon

    R S Tanessong, Kamsu Tamo, A Vondou & W Pokam

  4. Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, School of Wood, Water and Natural Resources, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 786, Ebolowa, Cameroon

    R S Tanessong

  5. Department of Physics, Higher Teacher’s Training College, University of Yaoundé, 1, P.O. Box 47, Yaoundé, Cameroon

    W Pokam

  6. Department of Meteorology, Climatology, Hydrology and Soil Sciences, National Advanced School of Engineering, University of Maroua, P.O. Box 46, Maroua, Cameroon

    Samuel Kaissassou & J Kanko

Authors
  1. Samuel Kaissassou
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  2. A Lenouo
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  3. R S Tanessong
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  4. Kamsu Tamo
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  5. A Vondou
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  6. W Pokam
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  7. J Kanko
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Contributions

Samuel Kaissassou developed code, designed, performed and analysed the simulation experiments and prepared the manuscript with contributions from all co-authors. A Lenouo, A Vondou, R Tanessong, and W Pokam supervised the research, co-designed the experiments and reviewed the manuscript. K Tamo and J Kanko performed figures and quality control of data.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Samuel Kaissassou.

Additional information

Communicated by Suresh Babu

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Kaissassou, S., Lenouo, A., Tanessong, R.S. et al. Investigation of anomalous propagation conditions in Central and West African stations using high-resolution GPS radiosonde observations. J Earth Syst Sci 129, 220 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-020-01477-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-020-01477-y

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