Convective boundary layer structure over the equatorial Indian oceanic region

Results of an investigation of the Convective Boundary Layer (CBL) structure over the oceanic region in the vicinity of the equator during the summer monsoon season are presented. The data were obtained from stationary research vessels viz., Shirshov, Okean, Shokalsky and Priboy during the MONSOON-77 Experiment. Variations in structure between convective boundary layers over the four ships with respect to their position about the equator have been studied. The technique of saturation point, mixing line and conserved variable diagrams has been used to bring out these differences. The CBL structure over the four ships showed that in the vicinity of the equator there are no marked differences. However, the analysis carried out for the period of study revealed that the ships situated south of the equator represented more convective activity, higher moisture content and deep layer clouds as compared to the ships which were located at the equator and north of equator. The two ships, located at the equator, showed approximately similar convective boundary layer structure.