“…The evaluation of the model results is performed for five investigation areas with different climatic characteristics, defined in a similar way than previous RCM simulations in West Africa [ Sylla et al , ; Diallo et al , ; Ibrahim et al , ; Panitz et al , ; Sanogo et al , ; Sylla et al , ] and studies aiming at the West African Monsoon and its mechanisms [ Hourdin et al , ; Browne and Sylla , ; Klein et al , ]: The regions SAH (Sahel), SUD (Sudan), GUI (Guinea), and Burkina (BUR) (Figure ) are located within a band from −10°W to 10°E and are characterized by differences in their hydroclimatic conditions, their terrain features, and their large spatiotemporal rainfall variability [ Sylla et al , ]. From the GUI (Guinea) zone to the SAH (Sahel), the length of the rainy season decreases from 10 to 2 months.…”