1. Western Disturbances – Structure 1.1. Introduction 1.2. Origin and Migration of Western Disturbances 1.3. Western Disturbances at a Synoptic Scale 1.4. Structure of Western Disturbances 1.5. Western Disturbances and Linkages with Large Scale Forcing
2. Western Disturbances – Dynamics and Thermodynamics 2.1. Dynamics of Western Disturbances 2.2. Modelling studies related to Western Disturbances 2.3. Interplay with Himalayan Orography and Landuse - Landcover Interactions
3. Western Disturbances – Indian Seasons 3.1. Winter 3.2. Pre-Monsoon 3.3. Monsoon 3.4. Post-Monsoon
4. Western Disturbances – Indian Winter Monsoon 4.1. Introduction 4.2. Interannual Variability of the Indian Winter Monsoon 4.3. Sub-Seasonal Oscillation Associated with the Indian Winter Monsoon 4.4. Intraseasonal Oscillation associated with the Indian Winter Monsoon
5. Western Disturbances – Impacts and Climate Change 5.1. Winter Precipitation and its Impacts 5.2. Severe Weather 5.3. Western Disturbances in the Changing Climate 5.4. Western Disturbances and Future Research
This book examines the meteorological phenomenon known as Western Disturbances (WDs) and traces their influence on the Indian subcontinent. It fully details the unique characteristics and dynamics of these disturbances, which produce large-scale instabilities in the atmosphere over northern India due to the orographic influence of the Himalayas.
The authors first present a definition of the phenomenon and then go on to detail their structure and migration. Topics include dynamics, energetics and thermodynamics; modelling studies; land-use and land-cover interactions; and WDs in the changing climate.
In addition, coverage outlines how WDs interact with and influence other weather systems throughout the four seasons of Indian climate: winter, pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon. It places special emphasis on wintertime dynamics since WDs significantly contribute to the precipitation in India during this time. The authors explain why this period should be termed "Indian winter monsoon" and differentiate it from the northeast monsoon which so far is the prevalent term used in the region's meteorological parlance.
Complete with detailed illustrations and case studies, this monograph will help researchers and students gain a fundamental understanding of these important storms. This knowledge is essential not only for short–term and seasonal hydrometeorological forecasting but also for the assessment of regional climate change and its impacts.