Severity of Tropical Cyclones atypical during El Nino – A Statistical Elucidation

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Chaudhuri, Sutapa | De Sarkar, Anindita

Affiliations: Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Calcutta, Kolkata - 700 019

Note: [] Corresponding author. E-mail: chaudhuri_sutapa@yahoo.com

Abstract: Tropical cyclones are one of nature's most violent manifestations and potentially the deadliest of all meteorological phenomena. The casualty associated with major cyclones in the Indian sub-continent gives an idea about its enormous destructive capability. The effect of El Nino over Indian Ocean is not fully understood yet. The present study is an attempt to establish a relationship between El Nino and severity of tropical cyclones. The rationale of the present study is to view whether a persistent cyclonic disturbance leads to the development of a tropical cyclone or severe tropical cyclone during an El Nino year. Statistical techniques are adopted to attain the objectives. The results of the study reveal that in the El Nino year cyclonic disturbances may turn to tropical cyclones but turning to its severity is absolutely unusual.

Keywords: El Nino, tropical cyclone, regression analysis, ANOVA testing, F statistics

Journal: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 6, no. 4, pp. 79-85, 2009