Zonal circulation indices, 500 hPa April ridge position along 75° E and Indian summer monsoon rainfall: Statistical relationships

Summary This paper presents an examination of the statistical relationship between summer monsoon rainfall over all India, and two sub-regions (north west India and peninsular India) and the indices of mid-latitude (35° to 70° N) zonal circulation at 500 hPa level, over different sectors of the hemisphere, based on 19 years (1971–1989) data. The results indicate that summer monsoon rainfall (June–September) over India shows; (i) a significant and direct relationship with the strength of the zonal circulation index during concurrent July over the sector 90° E to 160° E. (ii) a significant inverse relationship with the strength of the zonal index during the previous April over the sector 160° E to 45° W and a similar relationship with the whole northern hemisphere and (iii) a significant and direct relationship with the frequency of the zonal index during the previous January over the sector 45° W to 90° E.Significant relationships are also observed between the zonal circulation indices of the above mentioned months and sectors with the 500 hPa ridge location in April at 75° E over India.With 4 Figures     

Surface and upper air temperatures over India in relation to monsoon rainfall

Summary The relationship between the all-India summer monsoon rainfall and surface/upper air (850, 700, 500 and 200 mb levels) temperatures over the Indian region and its spatial and temporal characteristics have been examined to obtain a useful predictor for the monsoon rainfall. The data series of all-India and subdivisional summer monsoon rainfall and various seasonal air temperatures at 73 surface observatories and 9 radiosonde stations (1951–1980) have been used in the analysis. The Correlation Coefficients (CCs) between all-India monsoon rainfall and seasonal surface air temperatures with different lags relative to the monsoon season indicate a systematic relationship.The CCs between the monsoon rainfall and surface-air temperature of the preceding MAM (pre-monsoon spring) season are positive over many parts of India and highly significant over central and northwestern regions. The average surface air temperature of six stations i.e., Jodhpur, Ahmedabad, Bombay, Indore, Sagar and Akola in this region (Western Central India, WCI) showed a highly significant CC of 0.60 during the period 1951–1980. This relationship is also found to be consistently significant for the period from 1950 to present, though decreasing in magnitude after 1975. WCI MAM surface air temperature has shown significant CCs with the monsoon rainfall over eleven sub-divisions mainly in northwestern India, i.e., north of 15 °N and west of 80 °E.Upper air temperatures of the MAM season at almost all the stations and all levels considered show positive CCs with the subsequent monsoon rainfall. These correlations are significant at some central and north Indian stations for the lower and middle tropospheric temperatures.The simple regression equation developed for the period 1951–1980 isy = – 183.20 + 8.83x, wherey is the all-India monsoon rainfall in cm andx is the WCI average surface air temperature of MAM season in °C. This equation is significant at 0.1% level. The suitability of this parameter for inclusion in a predictive regression model along with five other global and regional parameters has been discussed. Multiple regression analysis for the long-range prediction of monsoon rainfall, using several combinations of these parameters indicates that the improvement of predictive skill considerably depends upon the selection of the predictors.With 9 Figures     

A reappraisal of relationships between northern hemispheric surface air temperatures and Indian summer monsoon rainfall

Summary Zonally averaged surface air temperatures have been analysed to form time series of surface air temperature anomalies over the tropics (TTA), extratropics (ETA), the poles (PTA) and the whole northern hemisphere (NHTA) for the period 1901–1990. The temporal statistical relationships between these temperature time series and Indian monsoon rainfall over all India (AIR), northwest India (NWR) and peninsular India (PIR) have been examined for the above period.The northern hemispheric January–February (JF) temperature correlates significantly and positively with all the three monsoon rainfall series, the regional peninsular rainfall series (PIR) displaying the best correlation. The Strongest correlation is observed during 1951–1980 for both AIR and NWR but weakened in 1961–1990. For PIR, the highest correlation is observed during 1961–1990, remaining almost stable since 1951–1980. The JF series AIR monsoon relationship showed the highest correlation over the tropics during 1901–1940, over the polar region during 1941–1980 and over the northern hemisphere during 1951–1980. AIR and NWR moreover show a significant negative relationship with simultaneous, succeeding autumn and following year TTA series, while AIR and PIR monsoon rainfall series show significant positive association with the following year PTA series.The results also suggest that cooler January–February NHTA not only lead to a poor monsoon, but a poor monsoon also leads to warmer temperatures over the tropics and cooler temperatures over the polar region in the following year.With 1 Figure     

Coupling between the El-Niño and planetary-scale waves and their linkage with the Indian monsoon rainfall

Summary The relationships between the El-Niño phenomenon and the planetary-scale waves, and the interannual variations in the Indian monsoon (June–September) rainfall have been analysed in order to investigate how the sea surface temperature (SST) in the equatorial eastern Pacific associated with the El-Niño can produce reduced monsoon rainfall over India by teleconnections.The longitude of ridge location over the Indian region of the integrated planetary waves (numbers 1–3) along 15° N latitude circle in the height field of 200 mb pressure level in May is significantly (r=0.93, significant at 98% CL) related to the May SST anomaly at Puerto Chicama. This implies that warmer (colder) SST anomalies are associated with eastward (westward) longitude of the ridge location. The variations of the ridge location in May appear to be significantly inversely (r=–0.95, significant at 99% CL) related to the Indian monsoon rainfall, with rainfall tending to be less (more) than normal during eastward (westward) longitude of the ridge location suggesting some predictive value for the Indian monsoon rainfall. The Indian monsoon rainfall and May SST anomaly at Puerto Chicama are inversely related (r=–0.90, significant at 96% CL).In terms of the observed relationships, a plausible mechanism for linking El-Niño with the reduced Indian monsoon rainfall is discussed. The relationships noted suggest that excessive warm SST anomalies associated with El-Niño induce an eastward shift in the planetary waves which in turn reduce the Indian monsoon rainfall.With 8 Figures     

Relationship between rainfall and lightning over central Indian region in monsoon and premonsoon seasons

Lightning activity and rainfall over the central Indian region (lat, 15.5° N to 25.5° N and lon, 75° E to 85° E) from the TRMM satellite have been analyzed. Ten years' data of monthly lightning and hourly averaged monthly rainfall from 1998 to 2007 have been used for analysis, which shows quite different relationships between lightning and rainfall in monsoon and premonsoon seasons in this region. Very good positive correlation is observed between rainfall and lightning during the premonsoon period, however, in the monsoon period a correlation between them is not so good. The different relationship between lightning and rainfall in the monsoon and premonsoon has been attributed to the low updraft during the monsoon period due to low cloud base height and low aerosol concentration during this period. This analysis shows that deep electrified convective systems do form over the central Indian region during active monsoon periods; however the relationship between convective rainfall and lightning frequency during this period is not as consistent as during the premonsoon period.     

Interannual and long-term variability in the North Atlantic Oscillation and Indian Summer monsoon rainfall

Summary The interannual and decadal scale variability in the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and its relationship with Indian Summer monsoon rainfall has been investigated using 108 years (1881–1988) of data. The analysis is carried out for two homogeneous regions in India, (Peninsular India and Northwest India) and the whole of India. The analysis reveals that the NAO of the preceding year in January has a statistically significant inverse relationship with the summer monsoon rainfall for the whole of India and Peninsular India, but not with the rainfall of Northwest India. The decadal scale analysis reveals that the NAO during winter (December–January–February) and spring (March–April–May) has a statistically significant inverse relationship with the summer monsoon rainfall of Northwest India, Peninsular India and the whole of India. The highest correlation is observed with the winter NAO. The NAO and Northwest India rainfall relationship is stronger than that for the Peninsular and whole of India rainfall on climatological and sub-climatological scales.Trend analysis of summer monsoon rainfall over the three regions has also been carried out. From the early 1930s the Peninsular India and whole of India rainfall show a significant decreasing trend (1% level) whereas the Northwest India rainfall shows an increasing trend from 1896 onwards.Interestingly, the NAO on both climatological and subclimatological scales during winter, reveals periods of trends very similar to that of Northwest Indian summer monsoon rainfall but with opposite phases.The decadal scale variability in ridge position at 500 hPa over India in April at 75° E (an important parameter used for the long-range forecast of monsoon) and NAO is also investigated.With 4 Figures     

Lag-relationship between mid-tropospheric geopotential heights over the Northern Hemisphere and the Indian summer monsoon rainfall: Implications for forecasting

Summary In this study the relationship between mid-tropospheric geopotential heights over the Northern Hemisphere (20° N to 90° N, around the globe) and Indian summer monsoon rainfall (ISMR: June to September total rainfall) have been examined. For this purpose, the monthly 500 hPa geopotential heights in a 2.5° lat./lon. grid over the Northern Hemisphere and the ISMR data for the period 1958 to 2003 have been used.The analysis demonstrates a dipole structure in the correlation pattern over the East Pacific Ocean in the month of January which intensifies in February and weakens in March.The average 500 hPa geopotential height over the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean during February (index one), has a significant positive relationship (r = 0.72) with the ISMR. In addition, the surface air temperature (SAT) anomaly over North-west Eurasia during January (index two) is found to be strongly related with the subsequent summer monsoon rainfall. These relationships are found to be consistent and robust during the period of analysis and these indices are found to be independent of each other.Hence, using index one and index two, a multiple linear regression model is developed for the prediction of the ISMR and the empirical relationships are verified on independent data. The forecast of the ISMR, using the above model, is found to be satisfactory.The dipole structure in the correlation pattern over the East Pacific region during February weakens once the ENSO (El-Nino and Southern Oscillation) events are excluded from the analysis. This suggests that the dipole type relationship between mid-tropospheric geopotential heights over the East Pacific Ocean and the ISMR may be a manifestation of the ENSO cycle.     

Outgoing long-wave radiation over the Tropical Pacific and Atlantic Ocean and Indian summer monsoon rainfall

Summary In this paper, the interannual variability of satellite derived outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) is examined in relation to the Indian summer monsoon rainfall (June to September total rainfall; ISMR). Monthly grid point OLR field over the domain i.e. the tropical Pacific and Atlantic region (30°N to 30°S, 110°E to 10°W) and the ISMR for the period 1974–2001 are used for the study. A strong and significant north–south dipole structure in the correlation pattern is found between the ISMR and the OLR field over the domain during January. This dipole is located over the west Pacific region with highly significant negative (positive) correlations over the South China Sea and surrounding region (around north-east Australia). The dipole weakens and moves northwestward during February and disappears in March. During the month of May, the OLR over the central Atlantic Ocean shows a significant positive relationship with the ISMR. These relationships are found to be consistent and robust during the period of analysis and can be used in the prediction of the ISMR.A multiple regression equation is developed, using the above results, for prediction of the ISMR and the empirical relationships are verified using an independent data set. The results are encouraging for the prediction of the ISMR. The composite annual cycle of the OLR, over the west Pacific regions during extreme ISMR is found to be useful in the prediction of extreme summer monsoon rainfall conditions over the Indian subcontinent.     

Intra-seasonal climate variability of Madagascar. Part 1: Mean summer conditions

Summary Variability of the summer climate of Madagascar is studied using area-averaged rainfall (1961–1992) and ECMWF meteorological data (1987–1992). Rainfall time series illustrate a seasonal onset in late December, a convective peak in mid-February and cessation near the end of March. Convective cycles with periods of 10–20 and 40 days are common. The former are contributed by easterly waves and the latter by monsoon surges which may resonate with the Madden Julian Oscillation. Using ECMWF January–February means, the summer climate of the Madagascar region is described. Characteristics of the region include SST>28°C, a quasi-permanent, topographic trade wind trough, sudden cyclogenesis, and distinct circulation regimes with easterly (westerly) shear to the north (south). The most poleward limit of deep convection and sustained uplift is near 20°S, 45°E. A convective vortex embedded in the ITCZ is a prevalent feature owing to the interaction of the NW monsoon and local topography.With 11 Figures     

On Climatic Fluctuations and Environmental Changes of the Indo-Gangetic Plains, India

Paralleling the Southern Himalayan Province, the Indo-GangeticPlains region (IGPR) of India (geographical area 6,00,000 km²) is veryimportant for the food security of South Asia. Due to numerous factors inoperation there is widespread apprehension regarding sustainability offragile ecosystems of the region. Literature provides detailed documentation of environmental changes due to different factors except climatic. The present study is intended to document the instrumental-period fluctuations of important climatic parameters like rainfall amounts (1829–1999), severe rainstorms (1880–1996) and temperature (1876–1997) exclusively for the IGPR. The summer monsoon rainfall over western IGPR shows increasing trend(170 mm/100-yr, significant at 1% level) from 1900 while over central IGPR it shows decreasing trend (5 mm/100-yr, not significant) from 1939 and over eastern IGPR decreasing trend (50 mm/100-yr, not significant) during 1900–1984 and insignificant increasing trend (480 mm/100-yr, not significant) during 1984–1999. Broadly it is inferred that there has been a westward shift in rainfall activities over the IGPR. Analysis suggests westward shift in the occurrence of severe rainstorms also. These spatial changes in rainfall activities are attributed to global warming and associated changes in the Indian summer monsoon circulation and the general atmosphericcirculation. The annual surface air temperature of the IGPR showed rising trend (0.53 ° C/100-yr, significant at 1% level) during 1875–1958 and decreasing trend (–0.93 ° C/100-yr, significant at 5% level) during 1958–1997. The post-1958 period cooling of the IGPR seems to be due to expansion and intensification of agricultural activities and spreading of irrigation network in the region. Lateral shift in the river courses is an environmental hazard of serious concern in the IGPR. In the present study it is suggested that meteorologic factors like strength and direction of low level winds and spatial shift in rainfall/climatic belt also play a significant role along with tectonic disturbances and local sedimentological adjustments in the vagrancy of the river courses over the IGPR.     

Observed and GCM simulated decadal variability of monsoon rainfall in east China

Variability and associated mechanisms of summer rainfall over east China are identified and described using both observations and a general circulation model (GCM) simulation. The observations include two data sets: the 90-station, 1470–1988 annual drought/flood index and the 60-station, 1889–1988 monthly mean precipitation measurements. The GCM data set is a 100-year equilibrium simulation of the present climate. Spectra of the drought/flood index indicate decadal cycles which decrease from north (47 y) to south (21 y). Correlation coefficients show decadal variability in the relationship between index values along the Yangtse River valley and those over northeast and southeast China. Analysis of the measured data confirms this result; for example, the correlation was small during 1889–1918, but significantly negative during 1930–1959. When compared with precipitation measurements, the GCM better simulates monthly means and variances along the Yangtse River valley. Three distinct 30-year periods of interannual variability in summer rainfall are found over this area. During each period, rainfall is negatively correlated with spring surface temperature over a remote region and is identified with variations in a specific component of the east Asian monsoon circulation: (1) when Eurasian temperatures decrease, the thermal contrast across the Mei-Yu front increases and frontal rainfall intensities; (2) lower temperatures over the Sea of Japan/northwest Pacific Ocean are identified with enhanced easterly flow, moisture transport and rainfall; (3) when tropical east Pacific Ocean temperatures decrease, rainfall associated with the low latitude monsoon trough increases. Given that the GCM generates decadal changes in the relationship between the physical mechanisms, the east Asian monsoon and planetary general circulations and east China rainfall, future studies should focus on the predictability of these changes with the use of improved and much longer GCM simulations.     

Thermodynamic structure of the boundary layer in relation to a monsoon depression over the Bay of Bengal — A case study

Aerological observations carried out on board ORV Sagarkanya at a stationary location (20° N, 89° E) over the Head Bay of Bengal during August 18–21, 1990 were analysed to study the thermodynamic structure of the marine boundary layer in relation to a monsoon depression which formedin situ with its centre at 20° N, 88° E. The q(mixing ratio) reversal observed at 850 hPa prior to formation of the low pressure area shifted to a higher level (h<700 hPa) with the formtion of the low. Positive buoyancy below 850 hPa prior to the formation of the low indicated conditions favourable for deep convection. When the low pressure area intensified into a depression, negative buoyancy was observed at lower levels.     

Pattern characteristics of Indian monsoon rainfall using principal component analysis (PCA)

In the present study the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is used to determine the dominant rainfall patterns from rainfall records over India. Pattern characteristics of seasonal monsoon rainfall (June–September) over India for the period 1940 to 1990 are studied for 68 stations. The stations have been chosen on the basis of their correlation with all India seasonal rainfall after taking the ‘t’ Student distribution test (5% level). The PCA is carried out on the rainfall data to find out the nature of rainfall distribution and percentage of variance is estimated. The first principal component explains 55.50% of the variance and exhibits factor of one positive value throughout the Indian subcontinent. It is characterized by an area of large positive variation between 10°N and 20°N extending through west coast of India. These types of patterns mostly occur due to the monsoon depression in the head Bay of Bengal and mid-tropospheric low over west coast of India. The analysis identifies the spatial and temporal characteristics of possible physical significance. The first eight principal component patterns explain for 96.70% of the total variance.     

Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis of monsoon rainfall and satellite-observed outgoing long-wave radiation for Indian monsoon: a comparative study

Summary The present study involves the use of Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis/Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to compare the dominant rainfall patterns from normal rainfall records over India, coupled with the major modes of the Outgoing Long-wave Radiation (OLR) data for the period (1979–1988) during the monsoon period (June–September). To understand the intraseasonal and interannual variability of the monsoon rainfall, daily and seasonal anomalies have been obtained by using the (EOF) analysis. Importantly, pattern characteristics of seasonal monsoon rainfall covering 68 stations in India are highlighted.The purpose is to ascertain the nature of rainfall distribution over the Indian continent. Based on this, the percentage of variance for both the rainfall and OLR data is examined. OLR has a higher spatial coherence than rainfall. The first principal component of rainfall data shows high positive values, which are concentrated over northeast as well as southeast, whereas for the OLR, the area of large positive values is concentrated over northwest and lower value over south India apart from the Indian ocean. The first five principal components explain 92.20% of the total variance for the rainfall and 99.50% of the total variance for the outgoing long-wave radiation. The relationship between monsoon rainfall and Southern Oscillations has also been examined and for the Southern Oscillations, it is 0.69 for the monsoon season. The El-Niño events mostly occurred during Southern Oscillations, i.e. Walker circulation. It has been found that the average number of low pressure system/low pressure system days play an important role during active (flood) or inactive (drought) monsoon year, but low pressure system days play more important role in comparison to low pressure systems and their ratio are (16:51) and (13:25) respectively. Significantly, the analysis identifies the spatial and temporal pattern characteristics of possible physical significance.     

Spatial and temporal relationships between global land surface air temperature anomalies and Indian summer monsoon rainfall

Summary Using the 60 year period (1931–1990) gridded land surface air temperature anomalies data, the spatial and temporal relationships between Indian summer monsoon rainfall and temperature anomalies were examined. Composite temperature anomalies were prepared in respect of 11 deficient monsoon years and 9 excess monsoon years. Statistical tests were carried out to examine the significance of the composites. In addition, correlation coefficients between the temperature anomalies and Indian summer monsoon rainfall were also calculated to examine the teleconnection patterns.There were statistically significant differences in the composite of temperature anomaly patterns between excess and deficient monsoon years over north Europe, central Asia and north America during January and May, over NW India during May, over central parts of Africa during May and July and over Indian sub-continent and eastern parts of Asia during July. It has been also found that temperature anomalies over NW Europe, central parts of Africa and NW India during January and May were positively correlated with Indian summer monsoon rainfall. Similarly temperature anomalies over central Asia during January and temperature anomalies over central Africa and Indian region during July were negatively correlated. There were secular variations in the strength of relationships between temperature anomalies and Indian summer monsoon rainfall. In general, temperature anomalies over NW Europe and NW India showed stronger correlations during the recent years. It has been also found that during excess (deficient) monsoon years temperature gradient over Eurasian land mass from sub-tropics to higher latitudes was directed equatowards (polewards) indicating strong (weak) zonal flow. This temperature anomaly gradient index was found to be a useful predictor for long range forecasting of Indian summer monsoon rainfall.With 12 Figures     

A possible mechanism for the weakening of El Niño-monsoon relationship during the recent decade

Summary Observational data are used to explore the relationship between surface air temperature anomaly gradients and Indian summer monsoon rainfall (ISMR). The meridional temperature anomaly gradient across Eurasia during January directed towards equator (pole) is a very good precursor of subsequent excess (deficient) Indian summer monsoon rainfall (ISMR). This gradient directed towards equator (pole) indicates below (above) normal blocking activity over Eurasia, which leads to less (more) than normal southward penetration of dry and cold mid latitude westerlies over the Indian monsoon region, which ultimately strengthens (weakens) the normal monsoon circulation. These findings suggest a mechanism for the weakening of relationship between El Niño and ISMR.Though there is a strong fundamental association between El Niño (warm ENSO) and deficient Indian summer monsoon rainfall (ISMR), this relationship was weak during the period 1921–1940 and the recent decade (1991–1998). During the El Niño years of 1921–1940 and 1901–1998, the meridional temperature anomaly gradient across Eurasia (Eurasian forcing) during January was directed towards equator. On the other hand, during the El Niño years of 1901–1920 and 1941–1990 this gradient was directed towards pole. Thus during 1921–1940 and 1991–1998, the adverse impact of El Niño on Indian monsoon was reduced by the favorable Eurasian forcing resulting in the weak association between El Niño and ISMR. This finding disagrees with the hypothesis of winter warming over the Eurasian continent as the reason for the observed weakening of this relationship during recent decade.     

Teleconnections: Northern hemisphere lower stratospheric geopotential heights and Indian monsoon rainfall

Summary In this study a search for teleconnection is made between the Northern Hemisphere lower stratospheric geopotential heights and Indian Monsoon Rainfall (IMR) through the correlation analysis approach. Monthly grid-point 50 hPa geopotential height data and the June to September IMR are used for the period 1958–1990.Analysis reveal that there are domains over the Northern Hemisphere where the variation of the geopotential heights during the preceding months of the monsoon period are related with the interannual behaviour of the IMR. During January and February significant positive correlations are seen along the lower latitudes (10°–20° N). However, the maximum relationship is seen during March, with high positive correlations over the Canadian sector and negative correlations over the east Asian sector. The correlation configuration weakens considerably, once the ENSO (El Niño Southern Oscillation) cases are excluded, suggesting that the correlation pattern obtained may be a manifestation of the ENSO cycle. Implications of these results in the long range forecasting of IMR are also discussed.With 5 Figures     

Monsoon rainfall and southern oscillation responses in the pressures over the Northern Indian Ocean

The pressure variations over the North Indian Ocean during the summer monsoon season have been exam-ined using the monthly data from June to September for the period 1961 to 1968. It is found that these varia-tions can be described by two significant eigenvectors (EV1 and EV2) which together account for 53% of the total variance.The first eigenvector (EV1) represents in phase variation over both, the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal with higher variations over the northern side of the area. The second eigenvector (EV2) depicts the out-of-phase variation between the pressure anomalies over the north and the south of 15°N latitude with two areas of pronounced variation, viz., the head Bay of Bengal and the equatorial region near 65°E longitude.The coefficients of EV1 show significant association with rainfall of West Coast and Central India for the concurrent months. These coefficients also show significant association with the pressure and temperature indices of the Southern Oscillation. The coefficients of EV2 show significant association with the monsoon rainfall of south peninsular India.     

The coherence of satellite infrared temperatures with monsoon rainfall at preferred frequencies and the triplex behavior of the Indian summer monsoon

Summary The behavior of the Indian summer monsoon during the period 1979–1985 is examined with surface rainfall and infrared satellite data in order to determine how well the satellite measurements mimic the episodic rainfall processes. It is shown that equivalent-black-body-temperatures derived from satellite measured outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) estimates are reliable indicators for reproducing the timevariant zonal structure of monsoon rainfall over the Indian sub-continent—but only at preferred frequencies. The Indian summer monsoon is found to exhibit a distinct three episode cycle of active-break periods along two north-south aligned cross-sections; the first along the west Indian coast, the second through central India up to the plains of west Uttar Pradesh.We use the triplex behavior of the monsoon as a framework to describe individual monsoons from 1979 to 1985. This is done in terms of the initiation or phase, amplitude, duration, and propagation of the individual episodes. Cospectrum calculations between the rainfall and satellite temperature show that significant coherence is only associate with the frequencies corresponding to specific sub-seasonal fluctuating modes of the monsoon, i.e. 30–50 day and 10–20 day modes. The 30–50 day mode exhibits particularly strong coherence. It is shown how the behavior of the rainfall normals can be used to aid the calculation of a synthetic satellite temperature normal. Coherance at the 30–50 day mode in the co-spectrum of the departure time series is also strong; coherence at the 10–20 day mode is weaker but significant. This suggests that although satellite derived temperature is not a universal for rainfall, it could be used as a variable for monitoring the inra-annual behavior of the fluctuating rainfall modes of the monsoon.With 12 Figures     

Prediction of summer monsoon rainfall over India using the NCEP climate forecast system

The performance of a dynamical seasonal forecast system is evaluated for the prediction of summer monsoon rainfall over the Indian region during June to September (JJAS). The evaluation is based on the National Centre for Environmental Prediction’s (NCEP) climate forecast system (CFS) initialized during March, April and May and integrated for a period of 9 months with a 15 ensemble members for 25 years period from 1981 to 2005. The CFS’s hindcast climatology during JJAS of March (lag-3), April (lag-2) and May (lag-1) initial conditions show mostly an identical pattern of rainfall similar to that of verification climatology with the rainfall maxima (one over the west-coast of India and the other over the head Bay of Bengal region) well simulated. The pattern correlation between verification and forecast climatology over the global tropics and Indian monsoon region (IMR) bounded by 50°E–110°E and 10°S–35°N shows significant correlation coefficient (CCs). The skill of simulation of broad scale monsoon circulation index (Webster and Yang; WY index) is quite good in the CFS with highly significant CC between the observed and predicted by the CFS from the March, April and May forecasts. High skill in forecasting El Nino event is also noted for the CFS March, April and May initial conditions, whereas, the skill of the simulation of Indian Ocean Dipole is poor and is basically due to the poor skill of prediction of sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies over the eastern equatorial Indian Ocean. Over the IMR the skill of monsoon rainfall forecast during JJAS as measured by the spatial Anomaly CC between forecast rainfall anomaly and the observed rainfall anomaly during 1991, 1994, 1997 and 1998 is high (almost of the order of 0.6), whereas, during the year 1982, 1984, 1985, 1987 and 1989 the ACC is only around 0.3. By using lower and upper tropospheric forecast winds during JJAS over the regions of significant CCs as predictors for the All India Summer Monsoon Rainfall (AISMR; only the land stations of India during JJAS), the predicted mean AISMR with March, April and May initial conditions is found to be well correlated with actual AISMR and is found to provide skillful prediction. Thus, the calibrated CFS forecast could be used as a better tool for the real time prediction of AISMR.