Variation of upper tropospheric clouds and water vapour over the Indian Ocean

摘要: The objective of this paper is to understand the response upper tropospheric (UT) clouds and water vapour (H2O) sea surface temperature (SST) changes over Indian Ocean. UT ice content (IWC) H2O observed by Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) show dominant dipole mode variability This characterized oscillating differences between western eastern Ocean (WIO EIO) with greater amplitude in September, October November (SON) as compared other seasons. We denote δX = X_WIO − X_EIO, X being IWC at three levels (215, 147 100 hPa) or SST, following documented definition for Dipole (IOD). find a strong positive correlation δIWC δSST, relatively weak Nino 3.4 suggesting that are largely controlled local thermally driven circulation, while teleconnection El Southern Oscillation (ENSO) plays secondary role. change per degree δSST SON 5.5 mg m−3 C−1 215 hPa, 1.6 hPa 0.13 (i.e. 96% C−1, 87% 46% increase 215, respectively). 36% δH2O increasing associated sharp contrast convective strength (indicated δIWC) region. On hand, decreases because cold above temperature. SST has (negative) (100 hPa).