Cut-Off Lows over South Africa: A Review
, Hector Chikoore 2, Mary-Jane M. Bopape 3, Thando Ndarana 4, Tshimbiluni P. Muofhe 5, Innocent L. Mbokodo 6, Rendani B. Munyai 7, Mukovhe V. Singo 8, Tumelo Mohomi 2, Sifiso M. S. Mbatha 6 and Marshall L. Mdoka 1
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The article is titled ‘Cut-off Lows over South Africa: An in-depth review’. The study focuses on a comprehensive literature review of COL characteristics from a regional perspective, critically assessing existing knowledge and identifying knowledge gaps. The authors also reviewed two major COL events that occurred over the South and East Coasts and found that in both cases, low-level runoff-slope interactions enhanced by uplift and deep convection. The article comprehensively and transparently describes the COL phenomenon and its impact on meteorological conditions in the South African zone.
My comments are as follows:
- no information on the origin of the data used to prepare this study, fig. 6-10
- figs 1 and 2 do not show much information, so they can be presented in 1 common figure Technical Notes
- the list of references should be adapted to the requirements of the journal
- some items require completion, e.g. item 3 (Hart al 2013), 4 (Blamey and Reason 2013), 5, 28, 32, 38, 48, 55, 66, 71
Author Response
The article is titled ‘Cut-off Lows over South Africa: An in-depth review’. The study focuses on a comprehensive literature review of COL characteristics from a regional perspective, critically assessing existing knowledge and identifying knowledge gaps. The authors also reviewed two major COL events that occurred over the South and East Coasts and found that in both cases, low-level runoff-slope interactions enhanced by uplift and deep convection. The article comprehensively and transparently describes the COL phenomenon and its impact on meteorological conditions in the South African zone.
My comments are as follows:
- no information on the origin of the data used to prepare this study, fig. 6-10
The information on the origin of the data used in these figures has now been included.
- figs 1 and 2 do not show much information, so they can be presented in 1 common figure Technical Notes
Figure 1 and 2 have been combined.
- the list of references should be adapted to the requirements of the journal
The references have adapted the requirements of the journal.
- some items require completion, e.g. item 3 (Hart al 2013), 4 (Blamey and Reason 2013), 5, 28, 32, 38, 48, 55, 66, 71
The references cited above have been completed
Reviewer 2 Report
1) Abstract: COL concept is not known by many readers; therefore it would be very effective if the authors defined its meaning briefly at the beginning of the abstract. Accordingly, the abstract may be shortened.
2) Page 2, lines 70-90: This part can be included as a separate section as the "3 Study area" after the second section where COL definition is given. Additionally, two figures (Figure 1 and 2) are not very suitable for an Introduction section.
3) Page 4: Figure 1 and 2 are suitable for the "3 Study area” definition section. These figures are referred to in the Introduction section and there is no reference to these two figures in this section except their appearance.
4) Page 5: There is no mention about Figure 3 in this section. Figure 3 is mentioned at the end of Introduction section. This figure with the two previous ones can be included in the "3 Study area" section with explanations.
5) Page 6: there is no explanation for Figure 4 throughout the article. It is just appearance and therefore the reader does not know its importance in the text.
6) Page 9: There is no reference to Figures 5, 6 and seven before their appearance in the text. It is preferable to move lines 291-300 before these figures.
7) Page 11: The same problem exists for Figures 8, 9 and 10. It is recommended to move lines 310-323 before these figures.
Author Response
1) Abstract: COL concept is not known by many readers; therefore it would be very effective if the authors defined its meaning briefly at the beginning of the abstract. Accordingly, the abstract may be shortened.
The COL concept has been defined in the abstract.
2) Page 2, lines 70-90: This part can be included as a separate section as the "3 Study area" after the second section where COL definition is given. Additionally, two figures (Figure 1 and 2) are not very suitable for an Introduction section.
Figure 1 and 2 have been combined.
Section 3 has been added to the Study Area description and line 70-90 have been moved to this section.
3) Page 4: Figure 1 and 2 are suitable for the "3 Study area” definition section. These figures are referred to in the Introduction section and there is no reference to these two figures in this section except their appearance.
The comment has been addressed under section 3.
4) Page 5: There is no mention about Figure 3 in this section. Figure 3 is mentioned at the end of Introduction section. This figure with the two previous ones can be included in the "3 Study area" section with explanations.
Figure 3 is now renamed as 1 and moved to the introduction section where it is discussed.
5) Page 6: there is no explanation for Figure 4 throughout the article. It is just appearance and therefore the reader does not know its importance in the text
Figure 4 has been renamed as 3 and moved to section 5 where it was already discussed under the first sentence.
6) Page 9: There is no reference to Figures 5, 6 and seven before their appearance in the text. It is preferable to move lines 291-300 before these figures.
All figures now appear after first mention in the text.
7) Page 11: The same problem exists for Figures 8, 9 and 10. It is recommended to move lines 310-323 before these figures.
All figures now appear after first mention in the text.
Reviewer 3 Report
[Title]
Cut-off Lows over South Africa: An in-depth review
[Summary]
The authors reviewed the COLs over South Africa. They described the definition, seasonality, dynamical processes, and representative cases of COL. They also referred to forecasting of COLs.
[Broad Comment]
This kind of review is important, especially the area where the previous researches are limited, I think. I hope the progress of researches on COLs over South Africa based on this review.
Also, I list some minor comments as below.
[Specific Comments]
Line 134: … of the 40S latitude [37]When …
-> … of the 40S latitude [37]. When …
Line 162: … during the transition seasons from March-April-May and September-October-November
-> … during the transition seasons: March-April-May and September-October-November
Line 179
Does the “RW” mean Rossby wave? The word firstly appears here.
Line 188
Does the “RWB” mean Rossby wave breaking?
Line 286, 288, and 290: 14-15 August 2002
-> 14-17 August 2002
Line 328-329 and 340-341
The sentence “Since COLs produce severe and destructive weather, it is imperative that meteorologists forecast them accurately and with adequate lead time” is duplicated.
Line 375
Does the “SA” mean South Africa? The word firstly appears here.
Author Response
The authors reviewed the COLs over South Africa. They described the definition, seasonality, dynamical processes, and representative cases of COL. They also referred to forecasting of COLs.
[Broad Comment]
This kind of review is important, especially the area where the previous researches are limited, I think. I hope the progress of researches on COLs over South Africa based on this review.
Also, I list some minor comments as below.
[Specific Comments]
Line 134: … of the 40S latitude [37]When …
-> … of the 40S latitude [37]. When …
The term has been fixed
Line 162: … during the transition seasons from March-April-May and September-October-November
-> … during the transition seasons: March-April-May and September-October-November
The suggestion has been added.
Line 179
Does the “RW” mean Rossby wave? The word firstly appears here.
The suggestion has been added.
Line 188
Does the “RWB” mean Rossby wave breaking?
Yes and The suggestion has been added.
Line 286, 288, and 290: 14-15 August 2002
-> 14-17 August 2002
The dates have been changed accordingly.
Line 328-329 and 340-341
The sentence “Since COLs produce severe and destructive weather, it is imperative that meteorologists forecast them accurately and with adequate lead time” is duplicated.
The duplication has been fixed.
Line 375
Does the “SA” mean South Africa? The word firstly appears here.
The term has been written in full.
