Cloud parameters using a ground- based airglow imager indicate large shift in monsoon rainfall pattern

New Delhi, Oct 17, (Fast Mail News):-- Estimation of cloud speed and wind pattern over Kolhapur in Maharashtra, during the months of March to May, from the year 2016 to 2020 have revealed a change in pre-monsoon cloud fraction and direction of its propagation indicating a large shift in monsoon rainfall pattern.

It is known that clouds can scatter the incoming solar radiation in the atmosphere and act as a blanket to the earth’s outgoing long-wave radiation. Clouds have significant impact on the Earth’s climate which by direct and indirect processes is non-linear in its nature. The effect is modulated by the space-time distribution and their height, thickness, size distribution and so on. Satellite sensors detect the cloud motion and under the assumption that clouds move with winds, and derive the Cloud Motion Vector, ‘CMV’. Values of CMV are very useful in understanding the synoptic scale atmospheric dynamics and circulations.

Scientists of Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG), an autonomous institute of Department of Science and Technology employed all sky imager data (ASI), (usually utilised for upper atmospheric studies) for cloud tracing in the low latitude station Kolhapur (16.8° N, 74.2° E). Generally, the all sky imager is used to observe night airglow, however the scientists used it to trace the cloud. They used cloudy data of the night time for this research. The utilisation of waste data or cloudy sky data which is considered irrelevant for airglow study, for this investigation is a novel feature of this work.

ASI has very high spatial resolution and this helped the scientists compare the data with INSAT data of 10 km resolution. Using the data collected over the period of 2016 to 2020 during March, April and May months of airglow monitoring, the researchers calculated the cloud motion vector, cloud coverage percentage and direction of cloud movement. The slowest speed of 10±3 m s–1 was observed in the 2017, while in other years it was over 15±3 m s–1. The clouds were found to move in a south-westerly direction during the time period under consideration.

The Kolhapur location being closer to the Arabian Sea, the winds as well as the cloud motion noted in our data were observed in the South-West direction. It is important to note that the direction of the cloud propagation is turning in the Southward direction as the year progresses. This is more evident in the March and April month data. This may have a linkage to large climatic changes. Using this analysis, the researchers showed that there is a shift occurring in the monsoon pattern, which may be imprinted in the rainfall behavior as well.

Related Environment News

Peafowls and deer rescued from captivity in Chhendipada

ANGUL: Four peafowl and one four horned antelope who were held captive in cages at Maa Bayani Peetha at Patrapada in Chhendipada forest range were rescued by forest officials after wildlife activists raised issue with Principal Chief Conservator of forests(Wildlife). A forest team led by Chhen....

Feast organised in Satkosia restricted area

ANGUL: The Regional Chief Conservator of Forests Sudhanshu Khora has directed Satkosia DFO to conduct an inquiry and submit a report about some people doing feasts in restricted areas on Sunday last. On Sunday,a group of youths managed to cross the Pampasar gate and performed a feast in ....

Crocodile dies in Satkosia gorge

ANGUL: Satkosia forest officials had spotted a carcass of a two-year-old mugger at Baliput Section of Satkosia gorge today. A crocodile which was 2 to 3 feet long and apparently died days ago and its body was discovered in a decomposed manner. Forest officials attribute the cause of the death to eit....

Four year-old male elephant dies in Satkosia

ANGUL: Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuaries authorities have recovered a carcass of around four year-old male tusker at Kantarsingha under Pampasar forest range on Friday morning.The body was lying on a bush without an injury and having tusk intact.Senior forest officials rushed to the spot and start....

Mass dharna to contain pollution and displacement in Talcher-Angul- industrial region

ANGUL:A mass Gana dharana attended by eminent personalities of the district was organised before the collectorate here to save Angul district from acute pollution,displacement and health hazards. Noted Gandhian leader and social activist Krishna Mohanty,the convenor of Talcher-Angu....