Cloud‐radiative impacts on the tropical Indian Ocean associated with the evolution of ‘monsoon breaks’

Abstract

AbstractA detailed diagnostic analysis of a suite of observed datasets was carried out with a view to understand the importance of cloud‐radiative effects on the evolution of prolonged ‘monsoon breaks’ over the Indian region. The study particularly focuses on the role of clouds in affecting the sub‐seasonal/intra‐seasonal variability of sea surface temperature (SST) and atmospheric convection in the equatorial and south‐eastern tropical Indian Ocean (SETIO) during monsoon‐break transitions. A characteristic feature of the monsoon‐break evolution is the appearance of suppressed convection over the SETIO region nearly 7–10 days prior to the commencement of a break spell over India. It is seen from the present analysis that the lack of cloud cover over the SETIO during the ‘pre‐break’ phase leads to significant warming of the tropical Indian Ocean due to strong solar insolation at the surface. During the ‘pre‐break’ phase, the net cloud‐radiative forcing (NETCRF) at the surface is found to be typically around − 30 Wm−2 and the mean SST in the SETIO is about 29.3 °C. Following the transition to a monsoon‐break phase, the cloud amount increases by about 25% over the SETIO region in association with intensified convection. The NETCRF at the surface over the SETIO averaged during the ‘break’ phase is found to be about − 60 Wm−2 (i.e. a change of about − 30 Wm−2 from the ‘pre‐break’ phase). Consistent with the above change in the NETCRF, the SST in the SETIO shows a cooling of about 0.7 °C, although the mean SSTs during the ‘break’ phase remain as high as 28.6 °C. On the basis of the findings from this study, it is suggested that the SST warming during the ‘pre‐break’ phase plays a key role in maintaining high SST and allows sustained convection to occur over the SETIO during prolonged monsoon breaks. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society