Dr.Babu, C A; Neema,C P; Hareeshkumar, P V(Springer-Verlag 2011, August 9, 2011)
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Abstract:
Arabian Sea Mini Warm Pool (ASMWP) is a
part of the Indian Ocean Warm Pool and formed in the
eastern Arabian Sea prior to the onset of the summer
monsoon season. This warm pool attained its maximum
intensity during the pre-monsoon season and dissipated
with the commencement of summer monsoon. The main
focus of the present work was on the triggering of the
dissipation of this warm pool and its relation to the onset
of summer monsoon over Kerala. This phenomenon was
studied utilizing NCEP/NCAR (National Center for Environmental
Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric and
Research) re-analysis data, TRMM Micro wave Imager
(TMI) and observational data. To define the ASMWP, sea
surface temperature exceeding 30.25 C was taken as the
criteria. The warm pool attained its maximum dimension
and intensity nearly 2 weeks prior to the onset of summer
monsoon over Kerala. Interestingly, the warm pool started
its dissipation immediately after attaining its maximum
core temperature. This information can be included in the
present numerical models to enhance the prediction capability.
It was also found that the extent and intensity of the
ASMWP varied depending on the type of monsoon i.e.,
excess, normal, and deficient monsoon. Maximum core
temperature and wide coverage of the warm pool observed
during the excess monsoon years compared to normal and deficient monsoon years. The study also revealed a strong
relationship between the salinity in the eastern Arabian Sea
and the nature of the monsoon