A weather system had originated as a cyclonic circulation in the Equatorial Indian Ocean adjacent to South Bay of Bengal a few days ago. This very circulation moved from east to west becoming more marked travelling abeam South of Sri Lanka.
Thereafter, the weather system intensified into a low-pressure area in the Comorin region and adjoining Indian Ocean. The system remained 5°N close to the Equator. Usually, the systems that travel in such latitudes do not intensify much despite moving in open waters with favourable sea surface temperatures. However, despite these odds, it did pick up strength becoming a low-pressure area.
Thereafter, it shifted northwards crossing 5°N latitude, which is when it intensified into a depression moving towards the Arabian Sea. As far as the Arabian Sea is concerned, it has smaller islands on one side and Sri Lanka and the Indian coastline on the other. All these factors were negating the strength of the system.
[yuzo_related]
The season also played a role in the system not further intensifying. The sun is still south of Equator thus the sun’s intense radiation resulted in change in sea surface temperatures. thus, the Arabian Sea is also not warm enough, making it less conducive for even the sustenance of the system.
Coming to the rainfall part, the well marked low pressure area and depression’s field of influence is larger as compared to stronger weather systems. The large field of influence has small scale systems which resulted in localized activities. For instance, Tuticorin a day before recorded a whopping 200 mm while Punalur saw 60 mm of rainfall.
In the last 24 hours, Lakshadweep Islands recorded hefty rains with Minicoy witnessing 167 mm of rainfall as the system remains close to the Islands. Also, Goa recorded some good rains during the same time frame. Sri Lanka also had recorded good rains while the system was close by, but it managed to escape the direct fury of the system.
While the system moved towards the Arabian Sea, it stayed away from the mainland. Moreover, the core of the system remained in the sea and rains only occurred due to the peripheral cloud bands of the system.
The system has weakening into a well-marked low-pressure area and will further reduce in strength. However, the prevailing winds will take the outflow of the system in the interior and coastal parts of Maharashtra resulting in some rains over these areas during the next 24 hours.
Please Note: Any information picked from here must be attributed to skymetweather.com
