scholarly journals Demonstration of the Temporal Evolution of Tropical Cyclone “Phailin” Using Gray-Zone Simulations and Decadal Variability of Cyclones over the Bay of Bengal in a Warming Climate

Oceans ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 648-674
Author(s):  
Prabodha Kumar Pradhan ◽  
Vinay Kumar ◽  
Sunilkumar Khadgarai ◽  
S. Vijaya Bhaskara Rao ◽  
Tushar Sinha ◽  
...  

The intensity and frequency variability of cyclones in the North Indian Ocean (NIO) have been amplified over the last few decades. The number of very severe cyclonic storms (VSCSs) over the North Indian Ocean has increased over recent decades. “Phailin”, an extreme severe cyclonic storm (ESCS), occurred during 8–13 October 2013 over the Bay of Bengal and made landfall near the Gopalpur coast of Odisha at 12 UTC on 12 October. It caused severe damage here, as well as in the coastal Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and adjoining regions due to strong wind gusts (~115 knot/h), heavy precipitation, and devastating storm surges. The fidelity of the WRF model in simulating the track and intensity of tropical cyclones depends on different cloud microphysical parameterization schemes. Thus, four sensitivity simulations were conducted for Phailin using double-moment and single-moment microphysical (MP) parameterization schemes. The experiments were conducted to quantify and characterize the performance of such MP schemes for Phailin. The simulations were performed by the advanced weather research and forecasting (WRF-ARW) model. The model has two interactive domains covering the entire Bay of Bengal and adjoining coastal Odisha on 25 km and 8.333 km resolutions. Milbrandt–Yau (MY) double-moment and WRF single-moment microphysical schemes, with 6, 5, and 3 classes of hydrometeors, i.e., WSM6, WSM5, and WSM3, were used for the simulation. Experiments for Phailin were conducted for 126 h, starting from 00 UTC 08 October to 06 UTC 13 October 2013. It was found that the track, intensity, and structure of Phailin are highly sensitive to the different microphysical parameterization schemes. Further, the precipitation and cloud distribution were studied during the ESCS stage of Phailin. The microphysics schemes (MY, WSM3, WSM5, WSM6), along with Grell–Devenyi ensemble convection scheme predicted landfall of Phailin over the Odisha coast with significant track errors. Supply of moisture remains a more crucial component than SST and wind shear for rapid intensification of the Phailin 12 h before landfall over the Bay of Bengal. Finally, the comparison of cyclone formation between two decades 2001–2010 and 2011–2020 over the Bay of Bengal inferred that the increased numbers of VSCS are attributed to the supply of abundant moisture at low levels in the recent decade 2011–2020.

MAUSAM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 273-282
Author(s):  
AKHILESH GUPTA ◽  
U. C. MOHANTY

ABSTRACT. The severe cyclonic storm with a core of hurricane winds of 4-11 May 1990, which crossed the Indian east coast near Machilipatnarn (Andhra Pradesh), was one of the most intense cyclones in recent years over the Bay of Bengal region of the north Indian Ocean. The storm reported the minimum sea level pressure of 912 hPa, the lowest observed value for any cyclone in the region. The storm exhibited certain interesting structural characteristics. The most striking  feature observed was the formation of secondary convective rings wrapped around the primary eyewall. These features were observed for nearly two days by four cyclone detection radars (CDR) located on the east coast of India. The paper presents an analysis of these features. We find that the double eye-wall structure of the storm has undergone a repetitive cycle characterized by the contraction of the outer eyewall and the weakening of the inner eyewall during the life of the cyclone. These interesting characteristics are observed for the first time in the north Indian Ocean for any cyclone. Some of the related aspects of double eyewall features, such as, the possible role of double eyewall structure on the recurvature or turning of the storm and the effect of land obstacle in the development of a secondary eyewall are discussed.        


2012 ◽  
Vol 140 (11) ◽  
pp. 3620-3633 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. V. Ratnam ◽  
S. K. Behera ◽  
Y. Masumoto ◽  
T. Yamagata

Abstract Remote effects due to the tropical disturbances in the north Indian Ocean are investigated by analyzing long-lasting (≥5 days) tropical disturbances, which reached at least the strength of tropical storms. The present analysis is carried out for both the pre- and postmonsoon periods. The spatial and temporal distribution of the outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) during the premonsoon disturbances over the Bay of Bengal reveals several interesting features. Temporal distribution of the OLR anomalies shows that the intraseasonal oscillations play an important role in the formation of those disturbances. The spatial distribution of the OLR anomalies shows a dipole with negative OLR anomalies over the bay and positive OLR anomalies over the Indonesian region. The atmospheric response to the negative OLR anomalies results in positive temperature anomalies over northwest India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, remote from the disturbance; and the response to the positive anomalies causes slight increase in the sea surface temperature of the Arabian Sea. Negative OLR anomalies are also seen over western Japan due to the Rossby waves generated by the heating over the Bay of Bengal besides the enhancement of the so-called “Pacific–Japan” teleconnection pattern. However, the analysis shows that the postmonsoon disturbances over the Bay of Bengal and the disturbances formed over the Arabian Sea in both pre- and postmonsoon seasons do not develop remote teleconnections associated with the above type of Rossby wave mechanism. These results are significant for the short- to medium-range weather forecast over a wide range covering Japan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and Saudi Arabia.


MAUSAM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-72
Author(s):  
A. MUTHUCHAMI

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.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suvarna Fadnavis ◽  
Prashant Chavan ◽  
Akash Joshi ◽  
Sunil Sonbawne ◽  
Asutosh Acharya ◽  
...  

Abstract. Atmospheric concentrations of South Asian anthropogenic aerosols and their transport play a key role in the regional hydrological cycle. Here, we use the ECHAM6-HAMMOZ chemistry-climate model to show the structure and implications of the transport pathways of these aerosols during spring. Our simulations indicate that large amounts of anthropogenic aerosols are transported from South Asia to the North Indian Ocean (the Arabian Sea and North Bay of Bengal). These aerosols are then lifted into the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UTLS) by the convection over the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. In the UTLS, they are further transported to the southern hemisphere (30–40° S) and downward into the troposphere by the secondary circulation induced by the aerosol changes. The carbonaceous aerosols are also transported to the Arctic and Antarctic producing local heating (0.002–0.05 K d−1). The presence of anthropogenic aerosols causes negative radiative forcing (RF) at the TOA (0.90 ± 0.089 W m−2) and surface (−5.87 ± 0.31 W m−2) and atmospheric warming (+4.96 ± 0.24 W m−2) over South Asia (60° E–90° E, 8° N–23° N), except over the Indo-Gangetic plain (75° E–83° E, 23° N–30° N) where RF at the TOA is positive (+1.27 ± 0.16 W m−2) due to large concentrations of absorbing aerosols. The carbonaceous aerosols produced in-atmospheric heating along the aerosol column extending from the boundary layer to the UTLS (0.01 to 0.3 K d−1) and in the stratosphere globally (0.002 to 0.012 K d−1). The heating of the troposphere increases water vapor concentrations, which are then transported from the highly convective region (i.e. the Arabian Sea) to the UTLS (increasing water vapor by 0.02–0.06 ppmv).


MAUSAM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-76
Author(s):  
T. K. BALAKRISHNAN ◽  
A. K. JASWAL ◽  
S.S.. SINGH ◽  
H. N. SRIVASTAVA

The spatial distribution and temporal variation of the monthly mean SSTA over the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and the north Indian Ocean were investigated for a set of contrasting years of monsoon over the period 1961-80 for months April through July using Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) technique with a view to identify regions that are significantly related to the monsoon rainfall. Over 75% of the total variance is, explained by the first mode EOF. SSTA over the north and northeast Arabian Sea during pre-monsoon months were found to be possible indicators of the ensuing monsoon activity. The higher eigen vectors in May over northeast Arabian Sea may signal good monsoon and vice versa. In June there is a marked contrast in the distribution of SST over the Arabian Sea between the two sets of the years the eastern Arabian Sea IS warmer for the deficient monsoon years while the entire Arabian Sea except over the extreme north Arabian Sea is cool during good monsoon years. There is formation of SSTA over the equatorial Indian Ocean area close to Indonesian island commencing from May which is more marked in June and is positively correlated with seasonal rainfall activity over India.  


MAUSAM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 375-390
Author(s):  
M. MOHAPATRA ◽  
S. ADHIKARY

The relationship of genesis and intensity of cyclonic disturbances (CDs) over the north Indian Ocean with the Madden – Julian Oscillation (MJO) has been examined using 33 years (1975 - 2007) data of MJO index and best track of (CDs) developed by India Meteorological Department (IMD). The MJO index based on outgoing long wave radiation (OLR) and zonal wind in upper (200 hPa) and lower (850 hPa) troposphere (Wheeler and Hendon, 2004) has been used for this purpose. The MJO strongly modulates the genesis and intensity of CDs over the north Indian Ocean. However there are other factors contributing to cyclogenesis over the north Indian Ocean, as about 60% of cyclogenesis during monsoon and post-monsoon seasons are not significantly related with MJO. While the probability of cyclogenesis during monsoon season is higher with MJO in phase 4 and 5 (Maritime Continent), that during post-monsoon season is higher with MJO in phase 3 and 4 (east Indian Ocean and adjoining Maritime Continent). It indicates that while possibility of genesis during monsoon season is significantly suppressed with active MJO at phase 1, 7 and 8 (Africa, western Hemisphere and adjoining Pacific Ocean), there is no significant relationship between genesis and active MJO at phase 1, 7 and 8 during post-monsoon season. The anomalous cyclonic circulation at lower levels over central and north Bay of Bengal in association with MJO at phase 4 and 5 favours enhanced probability of cyclogenesis over the Bay of Bengal during monsoon season. The anomalous easterlies in association with MJO at phase 1 and development of anomalous ridge over south India in association with MJO at phase 7 and 8 which are weak monsoon features lead to suppressed cyclogenesis over north Indian Ocean during this season. The anomalous north-south trough in easterlies embedded with cyclonic circulation over the south west/west central Bay of Bengal in association with southerly surge over the region during active MJO in phase 3 and 4 most favourably influences the convection and enhances the probability of cyclogenesis over the north Indian Ocean during post-monsoon season. The genesis of CDs is more sensitive to phase than the amplitude while the intensification of CDs is more dependent on the amplitude of MJO. Comparing monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, the modulation of genesis, intensification and duration of CDs by the MJO is more during the monsoon season than the post-monsoon season.


MAUSAM ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 511-514
Author(s):  
O. P. SINGH ◽  
TARIQ MASOOD ALI KHAN ◽  
MD. SAZEDUR RAHMAN

The present paper deals with the influence of Southern Oscillation (SO) on the frequency of tropical cyclones in the north Indian Ocean. The results show that during the negative phase of SO the frequency of tropical cyclones and depressions over the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea diminishes in May which is most important pre-monsoon cyclone month. The correlation coefficient between the frequency of cyclones and depressions and the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) is +0.3 which is significant at 99% level. Post-monsoon cyclone frequency in the Bay of Bengal during November shows a significant positive correlation with SOl implying that it also decreases during the negative phase of SO. Thus there is a reduction in the tropical cyclone frequency over the Bay of Bengal during both intense cyclone months May and November in EI-Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) epochs. Therefore it would not be correct to say that ENSO has no impact on the cyclogenesis in the north Indian Ocean. It is true that ENSO has no significant impact on the frequency of cyclones in the Arabian Sea. ENSO also seems to affect the rate of intensification of depressions to cyclone stage. The rate of intensification increases in May and diminishes in November in the north Indian Ocean during ENSO. The results are based on the analysis of monthly frequencies of tropical cyclones and depressions and SOI for the 100 year period from 1891-1990.


2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 3605-3615 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. V. Samiksha ◽  
P. Vethamony ◽  
V. M. Aboobacker ◽  
R. Rashmi

Abstract. An analysis of altimeter significant wave height data of May 2007 revealed the occurrence of an extreme weather event off southern tip of South Africa in the Atlantic Ocean, and generation of a series of very high swells at 40° S. These swells propagated towards northeast and broke over La Réunion island in the Indian Ocean on 12 May 2007. The wave model WAVEWATCH III was used to study the propagation of these swells in the Indian Ocean. The model was validated for the Indian Ocean using moored buoy data at 12 locations and merged altimeter wave data. The wave model accurately reproduced the event of May 2007. Swell heights, of the order of 15.0 m, at the generation area reduced to 6.0 m near La Réunion island. This study shows that the swells generated in the Roaring Forties of the Atlantic Ocean (between 15° to 80° E longitude) propagate in the NE/NNE direction towards the north Indian Ocean, and wave characteristics of the Arabian Sea are least influenced compared to that of Bay of Bengal, when swells from the Atlantic Ocean enter the Indian Ocean. The double peak spectrum extracted for the Bay of Bengal indicates that one of the peaks is due to swells generated off southern tip of South Africa.


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