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Influence of Himalayan and Tibetan Orography on the Statistics of Monsoon Low Pressure Systems over the Indian Subcontinent
  • Tresa Mary Thomas,
  • Govindasamy Bala,
  • Srinivas Vemavarapu
Tresa Mary Thomas
Indian Institute of Science

Corresponding Author:tresathomas@iisc.ac.in

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Govindasamy Bala
Indian Institute of Science
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Srinivas Vemavarapu
Indian Institute of Science
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Abstract

Monsoon low pressure systems (LPS) are synoptic scale tropical disturbances that form over the Indian subcontinent along the quasi-stationary trough axis during the monsoon (June to September) period. Around 14 LPS form every year, accounting for around 44% of monsoon precipitation and 78% of extreme precipitation events over the country. Many past studies have investigated the influence of various topographical features on the Indian monsoon. This study investigates the influence of the Himalayan and Tibetan orography (HTO) on various LPS-related characteristics/features (genesis location, number, tracks, and intensity). The NCAR Community Earth System Model (CESM1.2.2) is used to study the influence of HTO on monsoon and LPS activity over India. Simulations from CESM1.2.2 are obtained at 0.9°×1.25° horizontal resolution by considering the present-day height (h) of HTO, and altered heights (zero, 0.5h, and 1.5h). A 9.3% increase in the average monsoon precipitation is simulated over India when the height of HTO is increased to 1.5h, while a decrease in the same by 11.5% (44%) is simulated when the height of HTO is reduced to 0.5h (zero). These results are consistent with previous modeling studies. The changes in monsoon precipitation are attributed to a strong (weak) mean meridional temperature gradient (MTG) associated with an increase (a decrease) in the height of HTO and the prevention of cold dry mid-latitude air mixing with the warm humid air over India. Furthermore, we find that the simulated number of LPS per year increases when the height of HTO is reduced. The number of LPS is 17.2, 16.1, 13.6, and 12.4, respectively, in the simulations where the height of HTO is zero, 0.5h, h, and 1.5h. The mean meridional width of the LPS active region also increases when the height of HTO is reduced (Fig. 1). Contrary to the expectation of a southward shift in the LPS median track with a decrease in MTG (when the height of HTO is reduced), a slight northward shift is simulated in the track’s location. We attribute this to an increase (a decrease) in barotropic instability on reducing (increasing) the height of HTO, which results in a larger latitudinal spread in the location of genesis and tracks. The increased (decreased) barotropic instability also causes an increase (a decrease) in the frequency of LPS over the Indian subcontinent.