A new meteorological phenomenon, named atmospheric lakes, has been identified over the Indian Ocean.

Researchers at the University of Miami uncovered the compact pools of moisture which travel slowly over the Indo-Pacific region to deliver water along East Africa.

These lakes are similar to atmospheric rivers, but move much slower, lasting days at a time, carrying water vapour long distances which are concentrated to a point at which rain is produced.

This water vapour delivers much needed precipitation in eastern Africa’s dry lowlands.

Over five years of satellite data was analysed to find this new phenomenon. In this time, 17 atmospheric lakes lasting longer than six days were discovered all within 10 degrees of the equator.

Further research on these lakes will now seek to uncover the mechanisms behind the phenomenon.