Cyclone‐induced mixing does not cool SST in the post‐monsoon north Bay of Bengal

Abstract

Abstract High‐resolution data from the TRMM satellite shows that sea surface temperature (SST) cools by 3 °C under the tracks of pre‐monsoon tropical cyclones in the north Indian Ocean. However, even the strongest post‐monsoon cyclones do not cool the open north Bay of Bengal. In this region, a shallow layer of freshwater from river runoff and monsoon rain caps a deep warm layer. Therefore, storm‐induced mixing is not deep, and it entrains warm subsurface water. It is possible that the hydrography of the post‐monsoon north Bay favours intense cyclones. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society