Space-Time Characteristic Analysis of Wind Field over the South Indian Ocean

1 IntroductionThe South Indian Ocean is the only way which must be passed in marine traffic among Africa, Asia and Oceania. With the development of the international traffic, it becomes more and more frequent to navigate over the South Indian Ocean. More and more hydrometeorological safeguards especially the safeguards of important cruise lines are required. However, data for the region in China is absent except the Indian Ocean Climate Atlas (1973)1] which has short fixed number of…

Space-Time Characteristic Analysis of Wind Field over the South Indian Ocean

According to the ship observation data over the South Indian Ocean during 1950 -- 1995, taking 1°× 1° and 5°× 5° grid, the characteristics and variation rule of wind are analyzed. Through analyzing the chart of isopleths of the monthly elements, the conclusion that the seasonal variation of the wind field over the South Indian Ocean is less remarkable than that in the oceans of the Northern Hemisphere is got. The seasonal variationof the wind field is also obvious in this region, but the seasonal difference is little. The windin winter is stronger than in summer, correspondingly, the average wind speed is higher, andthe frequencies of gale of forces ≥6 and 8 are also higher. The north of 10° S is a monsoonarea; Southeast wind prevails all over the year in the rest of the trade wind area; Westerlywind dominates in the south of 40° S. This paper provides specific data of wind field andvariation for ship ocean transportation, ocean-going visits and scientific experiment.