A Case study of a heat wave during July 1966

Abstract

A heat wave started affecting the southeastern and central parts of India due to a "break" in the southwest monsoon over the country during the first part of July 1966. The heat wave abated when the monsoon revided during the second week of July. Some stations recorded maximum temperatures which surpassed the previous highest maximum temperatures for July. This study deals with the synoptic situation, rainfall distribution and wind circulation over the country during the period of the heat wave. The thermal structure of the lower troposphere during the period of the heat wave has also been studied. It has been concluded that the heat wave was the result of a large defect in rainfall due to the prolonged “break” and the circulation pattern prevailing in the lower tropospheric levels over the central parts of the country during the heat wave period was more or less similar to that to May.