Influence of Himalayan and Tibetan Orography on the Statistics of
Monsoon Low Pressure Systems over the Indian Subcontinent
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.