Relationship between Mid-latitude Circulation Indices and Indian Northeast Monsoon Rainfall

Abstract

—The study presents the results of the statistical relationship between seasonal northeast monsoon rainfall over Tamil Nadu state of India (TNR) and southeast India (SER) and mid-latitude circulation indices viz., zonal index (ZON) meridional index (MER) and the ratio of meridional to zonal index (M/Z) between the geographical area 35°N to 70°N at 500 hPa level over three sectors and hemisphere, based on 19 years (1971–1989) of data. The results indicate that northeast monsoon rainfall over India shows a strong antecedent relationship with the strength of ZON over all the sectors and hemisphere. The best association is observed during antecedent March over sector I (45°W–90°E) where direct and strong correlation coefficients of 0.69 and 0.64 are obtained with TNR and SER, respectively. Antecedent MAM (spring) season over sector I also shows a significant positive correlation with TNR/SER. Thus, the mid-latitude zonal circulation index may have possible use for the long-range forecasting of northeast monsoon rainfall over India.