Connection between Antarctic sea-ice extent and Indian summer monsoon rainfall

• Main Authors: Prabhu, A, Mahajan, P, Khaladkar, R, Bawiskar, S
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: Taylor & Francis 2009
• Subjects: Meteorology and Climatology; Antarctic; Indian; Pacific; Antarc*; Sea ice
• Online Access: http://moeseprints.incois.gov.in/1745/; http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/01431160802562248

Antarctic sea-ice extent (AnSIE) is an important parameter influencing global climate. The present study is carried out to find whether any connection between the AnSIE and the Indian summer monsoon rainfall (ISMR) exists. Temporal cross-correlations between the anomalies of the ISMR and AnSIE as a whole and its different sectors are computed for the period 1988 to 2005. A coherent propagating pattern is clearly evident between the AnSIE and ISMR, as well as the rainfall over most of the homogeneous geographical regions of India. Furthermore, this study reveals that the sea-ice extent (SIE) of the western Pacific Ocean sector in the month of March has a strong association with that of the ISMR in the same year. Year 2002 was a major drought year, which none of the regional or general circulation models could simulate. AnSIE variation has provided a strong signal to imply that 2002 would be a deficit monsoon year.