Some aspects of Indian northeast monsoon as derived from TOVS data

The Tiros Operational Vertical Sounder (TOVS) is a popular satellite sounding system. In this paper certain features of Indian northeast monsoon have been studied with the help of three years of TOVS data received through the satellite ground station located at the Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai. The TOVS based latitudinal and longitudinal profiles of Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR) and Precipitable Water Vapour (PWV) were derived for various phases of northeast monsoon activity, over coastal and interior Tamilnadu and oceanic regions. These were consistent with the known spatial rainfall characteristics of northeast monsoon. The average vertical temperature profiles derived for the various phases of northeast monsoon for the different regions revealed that the lowest layer and upper troposphere are warmer and mid troposphere colder during active northeast monsoon compared to dry phase. The diurnal variation of OLR and PWV and the comparability of TOVS derived data with conventional upper air data and INSAT data have been briefly discussed.

A probabilistic study of monsoon daily rainfall at Calcutta by Markovian model and trend of rainfall during monsoon season

One-step transitional probability matrices are obtained by Markovian model from one transitional state to other for different rainfall characteristics (such as, non-rainy days, light rains, moderate rains, heavy rains and very heavy rains) at Calcutta (Alipore) for different monsoon months. The disorderness (unvertainty) of the transitional system of the monsoon rainfall characteristics are studied by Shannon’s model. The favourable or unfavourable condition of different states are also studied by redundancy test during monsoon period at Caluctta. A Long-run probability vectors of such rainfall characteristics are found out from probability matrices. A trend in rainfall amounts during monsoon period at Calcutta for each of the monsoon month, June to September, has also been studied here.

Characterization of Monsoonal Rainfall in the Sudano-Sahelian Zone of Northwestern Nigeria

Wavelet transform has been underutilized in characterization of rainfall (Real Onset Dates and Real Cessation Dates) in the study area. This study aims at the characterization of monsoonal rainfall. Daily rainfall data of four stations for the period 1981-2018 were collected from Nigerian Meteorological Agency. The Intra-seasonal Rainfall Monitoring Index (IRMI) was generated and used in determining the RODs and RCDs. The Mann–Kendall test was used to detect trends of the rainfall characteristics. Wavelet transform was used in modelling RODs and RCDs. Findings revealed that RODs vary between stations. There is low (0.3 Spearman’s Rank r) correlation between latitudes and Early Cessations (ECs) of rains. The Morlet wavelet analysis revealed that from 1999 to 2018, there were more of EOs and NOs especially in Kano station. We conclude that from 1981 to 2018 there has been a minimal increase in the retreat dates of rainfall in the study area.

A Comparison of Methods to Address Anaerobic Conditions in Rainwater Harvesting Systems

Although historically used in semi-arid and arid regions, rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems have increasingly been used in non-arid and humid regions of the world to conserve potable water and mitigate stormwater runoff. Rainfall characteristics and usage patterns of stored rainwater are distinctly different in (semi-)arid and humid regions, thus presenting a unique set of challenges with respect to their utilization. Coupled with infrequent use, the addition of nitrogen and organic matter via pollen during the spring season can lead to anaerobic conditions within storage tanks, which hinders nitrogen removal, gives stored water an offensive odor, and ultimately discourages use of the water. This study evaluated three measures that can be implemented for new and existing RWH systems to prevent the development of anaerobic conditions within storage tanks: first flush diversion, simulated use, and the continuous circulation of stored water. Study findings indicate that preventing anaerobic conditions via simulated use and recirculation (1) does not necessarily remedy the issue of poor aesthetics within rainwater storage tanks, and (2) can decrease the water quality benefits provided by these systems. Rather, preventing the introduction of pollen and particulate matter to the storage tank via a first flush diverter and minimizing disturbance of settled material in the tank appear to be the most effective methods of addressing the poor aesthetics and odor problems associated with anaerobic conditions.

Rainfall variability and meteorological drought in the Horn of Africa

Basic rainfall characteristics and drought over the Horn of Africa (HoA) is investigated, from 1901 to 2010. Standard Precipitation Index (SPI) is used to study drought variability, mainly focusing on 3-month SPI. The dominant mode of variability of seasonal rainfall was analyzed by performing Empirical orthogonal functions (EOF) analysis. Gridded data is sourced from Climate Research Unit (CRU), spanning from 1901 to 2010. The HoA experiences predominantly bimodal rainfall distribution in time; March to May (MAM) and October to December (OND). The spatial component of the first eigenvector (EOF1) shows that the MAM and OND seasonal rainfalls are dominated by negative and positive loadings, respectively. The EOF1 explain 34.5% and 58.9% variance of MAM and OND seasonal rainfall, respectively. The EOF2, 3 and 4 are predominantly positive, explaining less than 25% in total of the seasonal rainfall variance in the two seasons. The last two decades experienced the highest negative anomaly, with OND seasonal rainfall showing higher anomalies as compared to MAM season. The OND season recorded 9% more drought events as compared to MAM season. The frequency of occurrence of moderate, severe and extreme dryness was almost the same in the two seasons. These results give a good basis for regional model validation, as well as mapping out drought hotspots and projections studies in the HoA.