Thermal budget of a monsoon depression in the Bay of Bengal during FGGE-MONEX 1979

Abstract

The complete thermodynamic energy equation is considered, to examine the possible role of the various terms and to evaluate the total diabatic heating. In the west-southwest quadrant of the monsoon depression where there is considerable rainfall, latent heat released by precipitation appears to account for about 80% of the total diabatic heating. This heating appears to be offset by cooling due to strong upward motion; however, the total diabatic heating over an area immediately to the north-northeast of the depression centre appears to be negative, suggesting downward air motion and adiabatic warming. -from Authors