- New research carried out by scientists at Centre for Climate Change Research, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune has challenged the earlier popular theory that said that a variation in Surface Sea Temperature (SST) above 29o C does not affect the variability of rainfall over the Indian Ocean.
- The recent study states that there is a direct correlation between the SSTs and rainfall as rainfall increases with increase in SSTs over the entire possible range (26-32 degree C). This is significant in light of the changing climate scenario.
- The rate of increase is up to 2 mm/day for an increase of 1 degree C in SST.
- Studies using satellite data indicated that there is a time lag between the increase in SST and the rise in rainfall. The time lag is: 5 days – Arabian Sea, 12 days – Bay of Bengal and South China Sea.
- Moist air converging near the surface has to rise or uplift as it is lighter than the air above. This results in the formation of clouds.
- The convergence associated with monsoons is stronger over the Arabian sea and weaker over the Bay of Bengal causing the delay.
- Other studies indicated that rainfall over the monsoons will continue to increase is a global warming scenario.
- Read at: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-sci-tech-and-agri/new-light-on-ocean-warming-rainfall/article6083861.ece
Exams Perspective:
- Surface Sea Temperature (SST)
- Cloud Formation
- Monsoon
- Land-Sea Breeze