Wind stress, curl and vertical velocity in the Bay of Bengal during southwest monsoon, 1984

Abstract

Wind distribution observed during southwest monsoon of 1984 has used to derive the mean wind stress for the season at every 1ᵒ square grid and curl over the Bay of Bengal. Two regions of maximum wind stress are present over the Bay of Bengal. Variability of wind components is compared with that derived from the wind field, given in the climatological atlas. Zonal component of the climatological and observed wind field has a maximum stress along 15ᵒN lat. along which the computed vertical velocity field present a negative maximum (sinking). The possible mechanisms influencing the surface layer dynamics have been discussed.