scholarly journals Climatology of Lightning Activities over Bandaranaike International Airport in Sri Lanka

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 1027-1038
Author(s):  
Dilaj Maduranga ◽  
Mahesh Edirisinghe
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Monsoon Season ◽  
Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission ◽  
Southwest Monsoon ◽  
Aviation Industry ◽  
Lightning Flash ◽  
Northeast Monsoon ◽  
International Airport ◽  
Environmental Goals ◽  
Imaging Sensor

This study reveals the spatiotemporal distribution of lightning activities over Bandaranaike International Airport, the main international airport of Sri Lanka. Lightning flash data was acquired from the Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) on Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) of NASA to investigate lightning activities from 1998 to 2014 covering an area of 30 km×30 km over the airport. Overhead annual flash density was 8.19 flashes km-2 year-1. The maximum lightning activities (57%) with an overhead flash density of 28.83 flashes km-2 year-1 was recorded in the first inter-monsoon season. The overhead flash density of 5.28 flashes km-2 year-1, 16.36 flashes km-2 year-1 and 7.46 flashes km-2 year-1 were recorded in the southwest monsoon season, second inter-monsoon season, and northeast monsoon season respectively. The month of April accounts for the highest number of lightning activities while maximum lightning flashes (22%) had occurred during 19.00-20.00 Local Time. According to the international climate season, maximum lightning activities over the study area have been recorded from March to May and during this seasonal period, the northern hemisphere is in spring and the southern hemisphere is in autumn. Safety guidelines are proposed to minimize lightning accidents in the airport. It is important to concern the regions with high lightning activity and vulnerable time periods to mitigate lightning accidents and to take adequate safety precautions to ensure the safety of passengers and the working crew to achieve environmental goals of sustainable development in the aviation industry.

scholarly journals Spatiotemporal Variability of Lightning Flash Distribution over Sri Lanka

2019 ◽  
Vol 82 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
U.G.Dilaj Maduranga ◽  
Mahesh Edirisinghe ◽  
L. Vimukthi Gamage
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Monsoon Season ◽  
Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission ◽  
Spatiotemporal Variability ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Variation ◽  
Lightning Flash ◽  
Northeast Monsoon ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Total Lightning ◽  
Imaging Sensor

The variation of the lightning activities over Sri Lanka and surrounded costal belt (5.750N-10.000N and 79.50E-89.000E) is studied using lightning flash data of Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) which was launched in November 1997 for NASA’s Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM). The LIS data for the period of 1998 to 2014 are considered for this study. The spatial and temporal variation of lightning activities is investigated and respective results are presented. The diurnal variation over the studied area presents that maximum and minimum flash count recorded at 1530-1630 Local Time (10-11UTC) and 0530-0630LT (00-01UTC) respectively. Maximum lightning activities over the observed area have occurred after the 1330LT (08UTC) in every year during the considered time period. The seasonal variation of the lightning activities shows that the maximum lightning activities happened in First inter monsoon season (March to April) with 30.90% total lightning flashes and minimum lightning activities recorded in Northeast monsoon season (December to February) with 8.51% of total lightning flashes. Maximum flash density of 14.37fl km-2year-1 was observed at 6.980N/80.160E in First inter monsoon season. These seasonal lighting activities are agree with seasonal convective activities and temperature variation base on propagation of Intra-Tropical Convection Zone over the studied particular area. Mean monthly flash count presents a maximum in the month of April with 29.12% of lightning flashes. Variation pattern of number of lightning activities in month of April shows a tiny increment during the time period of 1998 to 2014. Maximum annual flash density of 28.09fl km-2yr-1 was observed at 6.980N/80.170E. The latitudinal variation of the lightning flash density is depicted that extreme lightning activities have happened at the southern part of the county and results show that there is a noticeable lack of lightning activities over the surrounded costal belt relatively landmass.

scholarly journals Blue whales off the Southern coast of Sri Lanka during the Southwest Monsoon Season

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Grace Russell ◽  
Marcus Bridge ◽  
Maja Nimak-Wood
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Monsoon Season ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Southwest Monsoon ◽  
Lower Latitude ◽  
Northeast Monsoon ◽  
Southern Coast ◽  
Northern India ◽  
Blue Whales ◽  
Southwest Monsoon Season

Observations of 37 individual blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) were recorded off the southern coast of Sri Lanka during the Southwest Monsoon Season (SWM). Sightings were made during a scientific geophysical survey campaign conducted in July and August 2017. Whilst blue whales are regularly recorded on the continental slope of southern Sri Lanka during the Northeast Monsoon Season (NEM) (December - March) and during the two inter-monsoonal periods (March - April and September - October), limited data is available for the SWM (May - September) mostly due to unfavourable weather conditions and very little survey effort. In the northern hemisphere blue whales undertake seasonal migrations from higher latitude feeding grounds to lower latitude breeding and wintering areas. However it has been suggested that a population of blue whales in the Northern India Ocean (NIO) remains in lower latitudes year round taking advantage of the rich upwelling areas off Somalia, southwest Arabia and western Sri Lanka. Data from this study nevertheless support a theory that a certain number of individuals remain off the southern coast off Sri Lanka during the SWM, suggesting that the productivity in this region is sufficient to support their year-round presence. This study therefore fills a knowledge gap regarding the presence and movement of blue whales in the NIO highlighting the importance of data obtained from platforms of opportunity.

scholarly journals Lightning Climatology and Human Vulnerability to Lightning Hazards in a School Community: A Case Study in Sri Lanka using LIS Data from TRMM Satellite

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 29-50
Author(s):  
U. G. D. Maduranga ◽  
Mahesh Edirisinghe
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Monsoon Season ◽  
Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission ◽  
After School ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Human Vulnerability ◽  
Outdoor Activities ◽  
Risk Levels ◽  
Imaging Sensor

This study reported lightning climatology and human vulnerability to lightning in a 20 km × 20 km high-density school area in Colombo city in Sri Lanka from 1998 to 2014 using Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) flash data of NASA’s Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM). An average annual flash density recorded over the study area was 9.43 flashes km-2 year-1. A maximum of 49% lightning flashes happened during the first inter-monsoon season. There were only 4% lightning flashes that occurred during 06.00-12.00 LT and during 18.00-24.00 LT, it was 67%, whereas 94% of lightning flashes within a day had occurred after 14.00 LT. It is recommended that, without having proper lightning hazard preventive measures, schools in the study area should avoid or minimalize scheduling their outdoor activities in high lightning risk months of April and November. Especially, after-school outdoor activities should be planned with proper safety measures during the aforementioned months as per the diurnal analysis. Moreover, May to September and December to February were the months with the least lightning risk levels. It is recommended to follow the proposed five-level lightning safety guideline which includes, schedule outdoor activities by considering the variation of lightning activities, follow the 30-30 rule whenever required, avoid staying at the most hazardous locations which are vulnerable to lightning accidents, crouching action if required and providing first-aid whenever necessary. Not only for the Sri Lankan context but also the study is crucial and highly applicable for all schools and other institutes especially in other tropical countries.

scholarly journals Sensitivity Study of WRF Numerical Modeling for Forecasting Heavy Rainfall in Sri Lanka

Atmosphere ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Channa Rodrigo ◽  
Sangil Kim ◽  
Il Jung
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Heavy Rainfall ◽  
Weather Prediction ◽  
Wrf Model ◽  
Heavy Rain ◽  
Heavy Precipitation ◽  
Sensitivity Study ◽  
Southwest Monsoon ◽  
Northeast Monsoon ◽  
Pressure System

This study aimed to determine the predictability of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model with different model physics options to identify the best set of physics parameters for predicting heavy rainfall events during the southwest and northeast monsoon seasons. Two case studies were used for the evaluation: heavy precipitation during the southwest monsoon associated with the simultaneous onset of the monsoon, and a low pressure system over the southwest Bay of Bengal that produced heavy rain over most of the country, with heavy precipitation associated with the northeast monsoon associated with monsoon flow and easterly disturbances. The modeling results showed large variation in the rainfall estimated by the model using the various model physics schemes, but several corresponding rainfall simulations were produced with spatial distribution aligned with rainfall station data, although the amount was not estimated accurately. Moreover, the WRF model was able to capture the rainfall patterns of these events in Sri Lanka, suggesting that the model has potential for operational use in numerical weather prediction in Sri Lanka.

scholarly journals SPATIO-TEMPORAL ESTIMATION OF INTEGRATED WATER VAPOUR OVER THE MALAYSIAN PENINSULA DURING MONSOON SEASON

2017 ◽  
Vol XLII-4/W5 ◽  
pp. 165-175
Author(s):  
S. Salihin ◽  
T. A. Musa ◽  
Z. Mohd Radzi
Keyword(s):  
Water Vapour ◽  
Monsoon Season ◽  
Temporal Distribution ◽  
Southwest Monsoon ◽  
Northeast Monsoon ◽  
Path Delay ◽  
Zenith Path Delay ◽  
Temporal Estimation ◽  
Integrated Water Vapour ◽  
Spatio Temporal

This paper provides the precise information on spatial-temporal distribution of water vapour that was retrieved from Zenith Path Delay (ZPD) which was estimated by Global Positioning System (GPS) processing over the Malaysian Peninsular. A time series analysis of these ZPD and Integrated Water Vapor (IWV) values was done to capture the characteristic on their seasonal variation during monsoon seasons. This study was found that the pattern and distribution of atmospheric water vapour over Malaysian Peninsular in whole four years periods were influenced by two inter-monsoon and two monsoon seasons which are First Inter-monsoon, Second Inter-monsoon, Southwest monsoon and Northeast monsoon.

scholarly journals Preliminary Observations from the China Fengyun-4A Lightning Mapping Imager and Its Optical Radiation Characteristics

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (16) ◽  
pp. 2622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen Hui ◽  
Wenjuan Zhang ◽  
Weitao Lyu ◽  
Pengfei Li
Keyword(s):  
Data Processing ◽  
Optical Radiation ◽  
Monsoon Season ◽  
Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission ◽  
Radiation Characteristics ◽  
Southeastern China ◽  
Northeastern India ◽  
Satellite Platform ◽  
Variation Characteristics ◽  
Imaging Sensor

The Fengyun-4A (FY-4A) Lightning Mapping Imager (LMI) is the first satellite-borne lightning imager developed in China, which can detect lightning over China and its neighboring regions based on a geostationary satellite platform. In this study, the spatial distribution and temporal variation characteristics of lightning activity over China and its neighboring regions were analyzed in detail based on 2018 LMI observations. The observation characteristics of the LMI were revealed through a comparison with the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM)-Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) and World Wide Lightning Location Network (WWLLN) observations. Moreover, the optical radiation characteristics of lightning signals detected by the LMI were examined. Factors that may affect LMI detection were discussed by analyzing the differences in optical radiation characteristics between LMI and LIS flashes. The results are as follows. Spatially, the flash density distribution pattern detected by the LMI was similar to those detected by the LIS and WWLLN. High-flash density regions were mainly concentrated over Southeastern China and Northeastern India. Temporally, LMI flashes exhibited notable seasonal and diurnal variation characteristics. The LMI detected a concentrated lightning outbreak over Northeastern India in the premonsoon season and over Southeastern China in the monsoon season, which was consistent with LIS and WWLLN observations. LMI-observed diurnal peak flash rates occurred in the afternoon over most of the regions. There was a “stepwise” decrease in the LMI-observed optical radiance, footprint size, duration, and number of groups per flash, from the ocean to the coastal regions to the inland regions. LMI flashes exhibited higher optical radiance but lasted for shorter durations than LIS flashes. LMI observations are not only related to instrument performance but are also closely linked to onboard and ground data processing. In future, targeted improvements can be made to the data processing algorithm for the LMI to further enhance its detection capability.

scholarly journals Relationship between Lightning Activity over Peninsular India and Sea Surface Temperature

2010 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 828-835 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. I. R. Tinmaker ◽  
Kaushar Ali ◽  
G. Beig
Keyword(s):  
Surface Temperature ◽  
Sea Surface Temperature ◽  
Monsoon Season ◽  
Lightning Activity ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
Lightning Flash ◽  
Northeast Monsoon ◽  
Monsoon Period ◽  
Peninsular India ◽  
Seasonal Time Scale

Abstract This paper presents a study of spatiotemporal variation of lightning activity over Peninsular India (8°–22°N, 72°–88°E) by using monthly satellite-based lightning flash grid (1° × 1°) data for a period of 10 yr (1998–2007). The data are examined in terms of spatial, annual, and seasonal distribution of the lightning activity. It is found that lightning activity is higher over south Peninsular India and eastern India. On a seasonal time scale, the lightning activity shows two maxima—first in the month of May and then in the month of September. The lightning activity in the monsoon period is noticed to be considerable because of the occurrence of the low-level jet and increase in the monsoon break period. During the postmonsoon, the activity is mainly due to the presence of the convective nature of the disturbed weather during the northeast monsoon season over most parts of the east coast of south Peninsular India. The relationship between lightning activity over Peninsular India and sea surface temperature in the bordering seas (Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal) is also examined. The results disclose a significant link between them.

scholarly journals NGHIÊN CỨU XU THẾ BIẾN ĐỘNG TRƯỜNG NHIỆT ĐỘ BỀ MẶT BIỂN VÀ ẢNH HƯỞNG CỦA ENSO ĐẾN VÙNG BIỂN TÂY NAM VIỆT NAM SỬ DỤNG DỮ LIỆU VIỄN THÁM VÀ GIS

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-141
Author(s):  
Tran Anh Tuan ◽  
Vu Hai Dang ◽  
Pham Viet Hong ◽  
Do Ngoc Thuc ◽  
Nguyen Thuy Linh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Temperature ◽  
Sea Surface Temperature ◽  
Monsoon Season ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Southwest Monsoon ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
Northeast Monsoon ◽  
Temperature Trends ◽  
Sea Surface Temperature Anomalies ◽  
Southwest Monsoon Season

In this article, the sea surface temperature trends and the influence of ENSO on the southwest sea of Vietnam were analyzed using the continuous satellite-acquired data sequence of SST in the period of 2002–2018. GIS and average statistical methods were applied to calculate the average monthly and seasonal sea surface temperature, the seasonal sea surface temperature anomalies for each year and for the whole study period. Subsequently, the changing trends of sea surface temperature in the northeast and southwest monsoon seasons were estimated using linear regression analysis. Research results indicated that the sea surface temperature changed significantly throughout the calendar year, in which the maximum and minimum sea surface temperature are 31oC in May and 26oC in January respectively. Sea surface temperature trends range from 0oC/year to 0.05oC/year during the Northeast monsoon season and from 0.025oC/year to 0.055oC/year during the southwest monsoon season. Results based on the Oceanic Niño Index (ONI) analysis also show that the sea surface temperature in the study area and adjacent areas is strongly influenced and significantly fluctuates during El Niño and La Niña episodes.

scholarly journals Inter and intra-seasonal, variation of thermodynamic parameters of the atmosphere over coastal Tamilnadu during northeast monsoon

MAUSAM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 259-268
Author(s):  
Y.E. A. RAJ
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Liquid Water ◽  
Monsoon Season ◽  
Moisture Flux ◽  
Liquid Water Content ◽  
Southwest Monsoon ◽  
Northeast Monsoon ◽  
Thermodynamic Structure ◽  
Clear Sign ◽  
Analysis Of Variation

The thermodynamic structure of the atmosphere over coastal Tamilnadu during the northeast monsoon season has been studied in detail based on the daily 0000 UTC upper air data between 1000  and 500 hPa levels of Madras for October-January for the l0 year period 1976-77 to 1985-86. Normal upper  air soundings have been computed for dry and wet spells of northeast monsoon and for the brief period of southwest monsoon prior to northeast monsoon onset. The moisture flux crossing  Madras and the liquid  water content over Madras have been computed for various categories of monsoon activity. It has been shown that the onset of easterlies over Madras is accompanied by a cooling of 1C of the atmosphere over Madras at all levels upto 500 hPa. An east to west moisture flux of 21.1 x 108 metric tons per day across one degree wall over Madras has been found to cross coast during typical wet spell of northeast monsoon. The moisture flux crossing coast for good northeast monsoon and also the normal flux computed for the period of study compared fairly well with the moisture flux crossing west coast during southwest monsoon obtained in various other studies. The energy of an air column over coastal Tamilnadu was found to decrease subsequent to the onset of northeast monsoon. Analysis of variation of liquid water content revealed that even during deficit rainfall years there was considereable amount of low level moisture in  the atmosphere. Neither during dryspells of northeast monsoon nor after its retreat was there any clear sign of spreading of continental air mass over coastal Tamilnadu.  

scholarly journals Simulation of the Hydrodynamic Field in Nhat Le Estuary, Quang Binh Province

2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nguyen Xuan Loc ◽  
Dang Dinh Thuc ◽  
Trang Vinh Quang
Keyword(s):  
River Flow ◽  
Monsoon Season ◽  
Maximum Flow ◽  
Research Problem ◽  
Southwest Monsoon ◽  
Northeast Monsoon ◽  
Actual Measurement ◽  
S Waves ◽  
Hydrodynamic Field ◽  
The Waves

Hydrodynamic field is the primary research problem of all studies on coastal estuarine areas. Over the years, there have been many studies on Nhat Le estuary's region (Quang Binh). Still, these studies have not focused on simulating the characteristics of the hydrodynamics of this area. This study will present the ability to apply a mathematical model to simulate hydrodynamic fields for the region of Nhat Le estuary and Quang Binh sea by constructing the MIKE 21 model set based on the actual measurement database by the Center for Environmental Fluid Dynamics implemented in 2018. Through the calculation scenarios under different conditions, the longshore current mainly consists of Southeast - Northwest (especially with NE waves, the current direction is Northwest - Southeast) with current speed mostly in the range of 0.1 - 0.4 m/s. In estuarine areas, river flows have complicated developments, including many component flows. In the dry season, the river flow is not strong and is dominated by changes in the tide phase, withdrawal in a day. There are days of high flood flow in the flood season, overwhelming the tidal currents; the maximum flow velocity at the door can reach more than 6 m/s. Waves in the southwest monsoon season are relatively small, about 0.25 - 0.6 m; while the waves in the Northeast monsoon season are quite large and very strong during the storm, but when the depth is about -3 to -4 m, the wave height decreases sharply, spreading to the door. In particular, when there are floods in the river, the waves that propagate through this depth will almost calm.

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