On the relationship between the sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific and the Indian monsoon rainfall

Abstract

There has been a resurgence of studies relating to Sea Surface Temperature (SST) variations in the equatorial Pacific and variations in atmospheric flow patterns over tropical as well as over middle latitudes. In this note, the SST variations over the equatorial eastern Pacific and the variations in the Indian monsoon rainfall (June ‐ September) are re‐examined with particular reference to drought and flood years. Our analysis reveals that major drought (flood) years are associated with warmer (cooler) than normal SST values before and after the monsoon season. A possible connection with a feedback mechanism between the SST variation in the equatorial Pacific and the monsoon rainfall over India and vicinity is hypothesized.