Intraseasonal variability and possible causes of large-scale and convective precipitations over the Gangetic plain of India

P Parth Sarthi,Praveen Kumar

doi:10.1007/s00704-021-03881-w

Abstract

The occurrence of Indian summer monsoon rainfall (ISMR) during June to September, especially over the eastern Gangetic plain of India, is the lifeline for densely residing people. The intraseasonal and interannual variability in ISMR provokes drought and flood conditions and largely affects agriculture practices. Owing to its importance, several studies on the variability of ISMR over the meteorological subdivisions, namely West Bengal (WB), Jharkhand (JH), Bihar (BR), East Uttar Pradesh (EUP), and West Uttar Pradesh (WUP), respectively, have been conducted; however, the contribution of large-scale precipitation (LSP) and convective precipitation (CP) in ISMR needs to discuss. The LSP is precipitated out from the stratus or nimbostratus clouds, while CP occurs from the cumulus and cumulonimbus clouds, and both of them coexist in ISMR during summer monsoon months. The objective of this paper is to analyze and discuss the climatological characteristics and possible causes of occurrence of LSP and CP over the meteorological subdivisions. For this purpose, the data of LSP, CP, zonal, meridional (u and v components) wind, and relative humidity (rh) at the spatial resolution of 0.25° × 0.25° for the period of 1980–2019 are taken from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). The outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) data at a surface resolution of 1° × 1° for the same periods are obtained from the National Centre for Environmental Information (of NOAA). The observed rainfall data of the India Meteorological Department at the same resolution and period is considered and compared with ECMWF Reanalysis (ERA5) data. The spatial and temporal distribution of both types of precipitation is analyzed, and their linkage with OLR, zonal winds, and rh at pressure levels of 1000 hPa, 850 hPa, and 700 hPa (in lower troposphere) is examined. The daily climatological values of CP (LSP) are relatively higher (lower) in each meteorological subdivision. The associated lower values of OLR are noticed over the Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Bihar, while higher values of OLR are seen over the East and West UP. From the pressure levels of 1000 to 700 hPa, the change in the zonal wind, i.e., easterly to westerly and vice versa, and occurrence of a large amount of rh (>80%) may be possibly initiated moist convective activity for more precipitating out CP over the Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Bihar in comparison to East and West Uttar Pradesh.

Highlights

The Indian Summer Monsoon Rainfall (ISMR) is the lifeline for the populations of India and its economy
The relation between Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR) and Convective Precipitation (CP) is much better than the relation between OLR and Large Scale Precipitation (LSP). These results suggest that the occurrence of convective activity supports large value of CP over the Gangetic West Bengal because the deep convective activity has occurred over the BoB and adjoining areas, and stratus cloud formation would be restricted, and less value of LSP is observed
During JJAS, the LSP precipitated from the stratus or nimbostratus clouds, while CP occurs from the cumulus and cumulonimbus clouds, and both of them coexists

Summary

Introduction

The Indian Summer Monsoon Rainfall (ISMR) is the lifeline for the populations of India and its economy. The latent heat released (Houze, 2004; Schumacher et al, 2004; Choudhury and Krishnan, 2011) and the growth process of precipitation particles (Mapes, 1993; Kodama et al, 2009) in convective and stratiform clouds have been discussed. The LSP did not show a trend in the spatial variability, whereas a clear increasing trend in the spatial variability of CP is observed since the convective activity over the equatorial Indian Ocean is increasing (Prakash et al, 2013) Since both types of precipitation are associated with convective activity, the LSP and CP may relate with the Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR). Water vapour is one of the critical factors for forming convective clouds (Battan and Kassander, 1960) because the latent heat released by the moisture is absorbed at different levels and enhances the condensation process.

Study Area And Data

Convective and Large Scale Precipitation

Conclusions