Impact of satellite derived moisture in a global numerical weather prediction model

In recent years space instruments and remote sensing tools are allowing us to look at the Earth with new eyes; they have extended the scope of vision. India has the world's most gigantic monsoon system which is extremely important for the Indian agriculture. India gets most of its rain during four months (June to September) of the monsoon season. In July we get the highest number of tropical disturbances in the Indian oceanic region. During the month of July 1996, two low pressures and one depression formed over Indian region. The present study aims to derive the moisture profile for the period July 1996, by using remote sensing technique and their impact on the analysis-forecast system. The inclusion of satellite derived moisture in the numerical weather prediction (NWP) model results (i) the weakening monsoon flow pattern near Somalia region, (ii) the reduction of wind speeds in the south Bay of Bengal, (iii) the formation of a trough in the west coast of India, and (iv) the realistic rainfall prediction over the Orissa and Andhra Pradesh region, etc. All these effects are in contrast to the existing control and could help in better prediction of rainfall and flow pattern during the monsoon season.