Latitudinal variation of air sea fluxes in the western Indian Ocean during austral summer and fall

Abstract

Daily and zonal (latitudinal belt) averages of heat and momentum fluxes were computed using bulk aerodynamic formulae, from the meteorological parameters measured onboard 'M.S. Thuleland' during the sixth Indian scientific expedition to Antarctica (26th November, 1986 to 22nd March, 1987). Both estimates showed significant variations, the momentum flux showing the largest variation. The maximum values of sensible and latent heat fluxes were observed over the 30 degrees -40 degrees S and 10 degrees -20 degrees S zones during the southern summer and fall respectively while the minimum values of latent heat flux were observed in the 60 degrees -70 degrees S zone for both seasons. The sensible heat flux minimum was observed in the 50 degrees -60 degrees S and 60 degrees -70 degrees S zones for summer and fall, respectively. Higher momentum flux values over the 40 degrees -50 degrees S zone in summer shifted to the 50 degrees -60 degrees S zone during fall.