Monsoon-ocean coupling

摘要

The Indian monsoon is maintained by propagation of convective systems of synoptic (lows, depressions, etc.) and planetary scale (tropical convergence zones) from the warm tropical oceans, onto the heated subcontinent. As a result, the monsoon variability on subseasonal scales (between wet and dry spells) and on interannual scales (good monsoons and droughts) is linked to variation of the convective systems over the ocean, where variability in turn depends on the sea surface temperature through complex relationship. The nature of this relationship and the mechanisms suggested for understanding it are discussed. It is suggested that for further insights into monsoon-ocean coupling detailed observations particularly over the Indian seas with new satellites and special observational experiments are essential. [References: 37]