Scientific objectives of the Monsoon Experiment (MONEX)

The Monsoon Experiment is the core of the GARP Monsoon Subprogramme, which is a major international effort to achieve a better understanding of the Planetary monsoon circulation, the major seasonal perturbation of the general circulation of the atmosphere and the influence of the annual cycle of precipitation associated with the monsoon on the agriculture of the many populous nations of the region.This is a summary report of the International MONEX Planning Meetings, which were held in Yerevan, USSR, March 1973; Singapore, November 1974; New Delhi, March 1977; and Kuala Lumpur, February 1978.MONEX represents a group of observational studies during the First GARP Global Experiment (FGGE) over the South China Sea (December 1978), Arabian Sea (May–June 1979), and Bay of Bengal (July–August 1979). These periods will permit study of most of the significant aspects of the winter and summer monsoons. This is elaborated on in Sections 2 and 3.