Southwest Monsoon is a global phenomenon. While the occurrence is an overall complex process, it is quite interesting at the same time. The system does affect several parts of the world, and India happens to be the major candidate of the Southwest Monsoon. The preparation for the Monsoon currents begins well before its onset dates and is manifested in various forms and parts of the Asian region including both the land and the ocean.
The latest satellite image depicts that a number of weather systems are constantly shuffling around the Indian region. While some of these systems disappear, some of them tend to appear. A few of these systems are active while others tend to take a backseat on several occasions.
Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)
The oceans play a major part and Southwest Monsoon is largely driven by these very oceans.Just about ten days from now, the Andaman Islands will witness the onset of Monsoon and a week after that, Monsoon will usher in over the mainland as well.
Weather activities in the the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) are manifested in terms of clouds. This happens to be the main indicator towards configuring the arrival of the Monsoon.
At present, a lot of activity can be seen in the ITCZ. This zone is the main driver of the Southwest Monsoon. It lives through the entire season with varying intensity oscillating over different parts. The ITCZ is the deciding factor for the health of the Southwest Monsoon.
The image below shows the ongoing weather activities in the ITCZ. Numerical models are showing a few systems out of which one of them is intensifying and may affect the Oman Coast in the near future.
Skymet will keep a watch on the other systems. From the aviation and shipping point of view the ITCZ remains dangerous throughout. At the time of an intense weather activity, clouds can go up to 20 km which is beyond the reach of flying machines.
Current weather systems
During the month of May, wind discontinuity becomes a semi-permanent feature over the central parts of Peninsular India. This feature has been resulting in rains over Hyderabad, Bangalore, Nagpur, Nashik and several other adjoining cities.
An off shore trough can be seen along the East Coast. Which has been giving good rains over several parts of East India including Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Ranchi, Patna and Jamshedpur. Due to these showers, temperatures have taken a dip across the entire East Indian region.
A Western Disturbance is also affecting the weather in the hills and plains of North India. Usually, these Disturbances become less active during the Monsoon season.
However, when the Monsoon currents and Western Disturbances are coupled together, intense weather activity is seen in the hills. During the past few years, massive floods have been witnessed in the hills in the Monsoon season resulting in widespread chaos across the region.
During this period, heatwave conditions are also a common feature. However, due to widespread Pre-Monsoon activity over the entire country, heatwave has abated from most parts resulting in a drop in temperatures.
The existing weather features paint quite a promising picture of the upcoming Monsoon season. Until then, these systems will continue to lash the Indian region with good Pre-Monsoon showers.
