2001•Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC)Requires access
Analysis of the 1998 Southeast Monsoon and the Diurnal Rainfall Cycle in the South China Sea (SCS)
McLeod, Raymond S.
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Abstract
The onset and maintenance of the Southeast Asian monsoon (SEAM) has far-reaching implications for global circulation as well as and the local welfare of a substantial portion of the world's population residing in Southeast Asia. Significant delay or premature onset can lead to extreme famine or flood, respectively. Before accurate prediction of the strength or weakness of any given monsoon, one must understand the fundamental structure and significant events that lead to the onset and how the monsoon maintains itself. Analysis of data from the 1998 South China Sea Monsoon Experiment (SCSMEX) has revealed fundamental structures and influences associated with the summer monsoon over this region. Comparison of SCSMEX data with independent data such as the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) has confirmed diurnal variations in rainfall over this region.