The kinetic energy budget of Asian summer monsoon

Summary The kinetic energy budget of the Asian summer monsoon is examined making use of the daily averaged (0000 and 1200 UTC) reanalysis data for forty-year (1960–99) period produced by the National Centres for Environmental Prediction-National Centre for Atmospheric Research (NCEP-NCAR). Especially, the features associated with evolution and established phases of the monsoon are elucidated. Some features are typical during both phases. The lower tropospheric balance is governed by adiabatic generation and frictional dissipation. On the other hand, the upper tropospheric balance is regulated by adiabatic generation and flux divergence. The adiabatic generation of kinetic energy within the boundary layer is mostly due to the meridional component. Contrasting characteristics during both phases are summarized as follows. Subtropical westerly jet controls the balance of kinetic energy during the evolution period. On the other hand, Tropical easterly jet and Somali jet modulate the balance during the established period. The adiabatic generation of kinetic energy is predominantly driven by the zonal component during the evolution phase and by the meridional component during the established phase of monsoon, respectively. This aspect essentially delineates the roles of zonal and meridional regimes during the evolution and established phases of the monsoon.