Kumari et al. (2025) Climatological characteristics of ITCZ over the South Asian monsoon domain: Using multivariate probabilistic approach

Identification

• Journal: Atmospheric Research
• Year: 2025
• Date: 2025-12-17
• Authors: Priya Kumari, B. Preethi, Milind Mujumdar
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosres.2025.108709

Research Groups

• Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, India
• Department of Atmospheric and Space Science, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India

Short Summary

This study investigates the climatological characteristics and seasonal migration of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) over the South Asian monsoon domain using a novel multivariate probabilistic approach. The method, combining precipitation and mean meridional mass flux, effectively captures the ITCZ's seasonal shifts and regional variations, providing a clearer understanding of the South Asian Summer Monsoon phases.

Objective

• To characterize the climatological features of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) over the South Asian monsoon domain.
• To apply a multivariate probabilistic approach, combining precipitation and mean meridional mass flux, to effectively capture the seasonal migration and regional variations of the ITCZ.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: South Asian monsoon domain, with ITCZ migration observed between 24°N and 8°S.
• Temporal Scale: Seasonal (boreal winter to boreal summer), focusing on the South Asian Summer Monsoon season (June–September).

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Not explicitly stated; a "multivariate probabilistic approach" is applied.
• Data sources: Precipitation and mean meridional mass flux (specific sources like satellite, reanalysis, or observation are not detailed in the provided text).

Main Results

• A multivariate probabilistic approach, combining precipitation and mean meridional mass flux, effectively captures the seasonal migration of the ITCZ from boreal winter to boreal summer.
• This method successfully resolves regional variations of the ITCZ.
• The approach provides a clearer picture of the onset, peak, and withdrawal phases of the South Asian Summer Monsoon season.
• Over the South Asian Monsoon domain, the ITCZ exhibits significant meridional migration, shifting between approximately 24°N during boreal summer and 8°S during boreal winter.

Contributions

• Introduction and application of a novel multivariate probabilistic approach for estimating ITCZ location, which combines precipitation and mean meridional mass flux.
• This approach offers an improved understanding of ITCZ dynamics by effectively capturing its regional and seasonal variations, moving beyond zonal-mean perspectives.
• Provides enhanced insights into the onset, peak, and withdrawal phases of the South Asian Summer Monsoon season through a more accurate characterization of the ITCZ.

Funding

• Not mentioned in the provided text.

Citation

@article{Kumari2025Climatological,
  author = {Kumari, Priya and Preethi, B. and Mujumdar, Milind},
  title = {Climatological characteristics of ITCZ over the South Asian monsoon domain: Using multivariate probabilistic approach},
  journal = {Atmospheric Research},
  year = {2025},
  doi = {10.1016/j.atmosres.2025.108709},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2025.108709}
}