Ambient noise during rough weather and cyclones in the shallow Bay of Bengal

This paper presents ambient noise analysis during rough weather, using time series measurements from an automated noise measurement system in the shallow southwest Bay of Bengal during October–November 2010. The period witnessed low-pressure events including depressions and cyclones, with JAL cyclone passing close to the measurement site. The time series noise level shows a shift in mid-October, after which deep depressions and cyclones formed, with an average increase of 5–10 dB in the lower band and 2–3 dB in the higher band of frequencies. Furthermore, correlation between noise level and wave height (data from wave rider buoy deployed at the site) for sea state scale 3 and above shows good correlation with an increase in noise level with increase in wave height, the effect being most pronounced at 0.5 kHz. The noise captured during JAL was analysed to identify the spectrum components due to convective precipitation and heavy wind/wave activity and shows anomalously high levels during the crossing of the cyclone. Rain noise spectra from the rain bands associated with the wall of the cyclone are reported. This has been correlated with radar reflectivity measurements to ascertain the presence of rain, and discriminate between convective and stratiform types. Also, vertical directionality pattern of ambient noise during JAL showed clearly distinct surface contributions. On the whole, knowledge of ambient noise fields during high sea states and precipitation is useful in optimizing SONAR performance. The findings at the study site have been compared with measurements from other shallow water locations during rough weather.