Satellite Based Interpretation of Stability Parameters on Convective Systems over India and Srilanka

Abstract

India is frequently exposed to convective systems (CS) during the hot period of pre-monsoon season. Huge thunderstorms are more often over India in the recent years. To analyze these systems, the stability parameters considered as good precursors for understanding the physics of the convective systems in prior to their occurrence. The present study is concerned about the analysis of stability parameters such as K Index (KI), Lifted Index (LI), Total Totals Index (TTI), Humidity Index (HI), Convective available potential energy (CAPE), Convective Inhibition (CIN), Lifting Condensation Level (LCL) and Level of free Convection (LFC) associated with severe convective systems over India and Srilanka during April, 2015. First, INSAT-3D satellite based brightness temperature (BT) product was used for analyzing the initial, mature and dissipation stages of the convective system at every 30 min interval. The data products from MODIS Terra satellite, MODIS Aqua satellite, Era-Interim ECMWF reanalysis satellite data and IASI satellite were used for understanding the thermodynamics related to the occurrence of these convective systems. The results of stability parameters that were derived from MODIS Terra and Aqua satellite’s data products indicated the favorable threshold values for the occurrence of convective systems. Results from Era-Interim ECMWF reanalysis satellite data also helps us to understand the dynamics involved behind the convective system. The results from IASI satellite also helped us to understand the severity of convective systems during cloudy situations. The results of this study impulse the need of satellites for analyzing the convective systems prior to their occurrence.

Keywords

• convective system
• satellite
• pre-monsoon
• stability
• brightness temperature