The Burst of the 1978 Indian Summer Monsoon as Seen from METEOSAT

Abstract

Low-level wind fields over the western Indian Ocean west of 65°E have been determined from the analysis of METEOSAT images from 10 to 22 May 1978 (one field every two days). The data show the abrupt change in the low-level airflow circulation which takes place over the western Indian Ocean during the burst of the monsoon. The burst of the monsoon along the African coast is characterized by the sudden establishment of the Somali low-level jet and associated strong cross-equatorial flow. This modification which augurs the beginning of the monsoon season over India is closely related to the first rainfalls over the southern part of the western coast of India which occur with a lag of 3?4 days.