Tropospheric moisture field over the Arabian Sea during Monex 1973

Abstract

During the Indo-USSR joint expedition, MONEX-1973, zonal cruises were undertaken in May and July 1973 by four USSR research ships in rectangular formations along the mean latitude of 1O"N on the Arabian Sea. Analyses of dew-point depressions based on aerological data obtained from these ships are, made. It is found that during the pre-monsoon season, although the air in the lower and mid-tropospbere is of continental origin, the lower troposphere undergoes modification due to evaporation and becomes very moist but the mid-troposphere remains dry. Tropical maritime air prevails in the upper troposphere and is, therefore, relatively moist. In the monsoon period, moisture contents increase generally in the mid and upper troposphere. Also, whereas the depths of the moist layers increase, that of the dry mid-troposphere decreases.