Influence of SSTs over Nino-3.4 Region on the Indian Summer Monsoon Rainfall

Shinu Sheela Wilson, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Atmospheric Sciences, Cochin, India; Nansen Environmental Research Center, Kochi, India, Stephanie Gleixner, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway and K. Mohanakumar, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin, India
Abstract:
Indian Summer Monsoon Rainfall (ISMR) is sensitive to SST variations in the Pacific Ocean. In this study, the correlation coefficients between the SST in the Nino-3.4 region of season (June-August) and ISMR are evaluated using the datasets ERSST v3b and ISMR data (www.tropmet.res.in). An analysis of the mean monthly data of 64 years (1955-2013) reveals that the relationship between the SST in the Nino-3.4 region in June-August and the ISMR is changed after 1983. Seven drought years were reported between 1955 and 1983 and the warmest SST is in the equatorial eastern Pacific. After 1983, the warmest SST is shifted towards the central Pacific region during drought years. The coldest region in the central Pacific during wet years is shifted towards the eastern Pacific after 1983. The position of the sensitive area in the Pacific Ocean thus influences the drought/wet which is found to be changed in the recent epoch.
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