Radiational structure of the atmosphere over the Indian seas during MONEX-77 and MONEX-79

Abstract

Using the radiometersonde observations taken by USSR research vessels during MONEX-77 and MONEX-79, the radiational warming/cooling rates are computed for different atmospheric layer over both Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. The advancing monsoon air exhibits a general cooling at or near the equator in the entire tropospheric but after crossing the equator the same air after moving some distance displays extensive region of warming in the upper tropospheric levels. The airmass over the equatorial region also displays different radiational characteristics during the premonsoon phase and at the time of the advance of the southwest monsoon. The characteristic features of the radiational structure of the atmosphere over the seas during strong and weak monsoon phases and in the field of a depression, a few days prior to its formation, have also been discussed.