Chanabasanagouda S. Patil

This study investigates the impacts of summer monsoon activity on aerosols over the Indian region. We analyze the variability of aerosols during active and break monsoon phases, as well as strong and weak monsoon years, using data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Cloud–Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO). Our findings show a clear distinction in aerosol distribution between active and break phases. During active phases, the Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) and aerosol extinction are lower across the Indian region, while break phases are associated with higher AOD and extinction. Furthermore, we observed a significant increase in AOD over Central India during strong monsoon years, compared to weak monsoon years. Utilizing the vertical feature mask (VFM) data from CALIPSO, we identified polluted dust and dusty marine aerosols as the dominant types during both active/break phases and strong/weak monsoon years. Notably, the contributions of these pollutants are significantly higher during break phases compared to during active phases. Our analysis also reveals a shift in the origin of these aerosol masses. During active phases, the majority originate from the Arabian Sea; in contrast, break phases are associated with a higher contribution from the African region.

Study aims to conduct a synoptic and thermodynamic analysis of significant rainfall events that happened during the break monsoon season. During the investigation of meteorological events, it was observed that the monsoon trough at mean sea level passed along the foothills of the Himalaya. On August 31, 2023, there was a cyclonic circulation observed in the northeast Bay of Bengal as well as adjacent areas, reaching an altitude of 5.8 km above mean sea level (AMSL). This circulation tilted southwestward with height. During the period of August 31-September 2, 2023, there was a cyclonic circulation persistent that occurred inside a particular geographical area. This phenomenon extended up to a height of 4.5 km AMSL and exhibited a south-westward tilt as the altitude increased. On August 31, 2023, the Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE) was measured to be 2153 J/kg, whereas the Convective Inhibition Energy (CINE) was recorded as 0 J/kg. INSAT-3D satellite image showed a cloud top temperature of – 40 °C to – 60 °C. The Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) pictures also showed convective clouds to support this phenomenon. The synoptic and thermodynamic indices indicate a high likelihood of significant precipitation occurring over Bengaluru and its surrounding regions.