Anticyclones and Heat Waves

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The record-breaking warmth experienced in 2023 remains an intriguing puzzle. While the superposition of El Niño on global warming partially explains the elevated temperatures, there’s more to the story.

Anticyclones:

The interplay between global warming and local weather patterns is multifaceted. These high-pressure systems, currently lingering over India, play a pivotal role in modulating heat waves.

Anticyclonic Circulations: In March, the North Indian Ocean witnessed anticyclonic circulations. Picture these as clockwise-moving winds with descending air at their core. As this air descends and compresses, it forms a heat dome—a region of intense warmth. These anticyclones were instrumental in shaping unusual rainfall patterns over Odisha.
Dubai Floods and Anticyclones: Notably, the historic floods in Dubai on April 17 can also be attributed to anticyclones. These weather systems persistently exist over the North Indian Ocean and the Indian subcontinent.

Linking Anticyclones to Global Warming

During the pre-monsoon season, the Indian Easterly Jet (IEJ) takes shape in the upper atmosphere. Around 10 degrees N latitude, spanning the Arabian Sea, peninsular India, and the Bay of Bengal, the IEJ interacts with a strong westerly jet at 30 degrees N. Together, they generate anticyclonic patterns.

Strong Anticyclones: A robust anticyclone brings dry, scorching weather to many parts of India. Conversely, a weaker anticyclone results in milder conditions.

While the persistence of anticyclones isn’t unusual, their impact warrants scrutiny. As we grapple with heat waves, understanding these atmospheric dynamics becomes paramount. The battle against rising temperatures demands both global awareness and local precision.