Variability in dynamic and thermodynamic parameters in cyclogenesis over north Indian ocean

Abstract

The two basins Arabian sea (ARS) and Bay of Bengal (BOB) of the North Indian Ocean (NIO) are having different dynamic and thermodynamic character and therefore ARS has subdued cyclone activity than BOB. In order to examine the difference between these basins in respect of various meteorological parameters, using NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data for the period 1971-2005 during the months of September to December the distribution of the dynamic and thermodynamic parameters are discussed. It is seen that sea surface temperature (SST) is not responsible for subdued activity over ARS as the SST over ARS and BOB is mostly above minimum threshold level. In respect of wind shear, during October in ARS north of 10°  N is favourable for storm formation unlike September where the whole of Arabian sea except the region north of 20° N is inert to cyclone formation. The humidity factor is more pronounced in ARS for prohibiting storm formation than shear factor. In all the months static instability at 90° E is least and so the atmosphere is neutral throughout the period and consequence of it any small trigger in the lower level will induce the system to grow further.  The BOB is more barotropic than ARS. There is a considerable difference exists in precipitation rate as a consequence of more stable atmosphere over Arabian sea than in Bay of Bengal even at the lower level.