Dynamics of Heatwave Intensification over the Indian Region

TL;DR

This study investigates the dynamical mechanisms behind the intensification of heatwaves over India, emphasizing regional and teleconnection influences, using a barotropic vorticity model to understand circulation amplification.

Contribution

It introduces a simplified barotropic vorticity model to analyze regional forcing and teleconnection effects on heatwave intensification over India.

Findings

Superimposition of cyclonic and anticyclonic Rossby waves amplifies circulation.

Intensified circulation correlates with increased heat stress during heatwaves.

Climate change scenarios show shifts in circulation regimes that may enhance heatwave intensity.

Abstract

In a warming world, heatwaves over India have become intense and are causing severe health impacts. Studies have identified the presence of amplified Rossby waves and their association with the intensification of heatwaves. Earlier studies have identified two dominant modes of temperature variability in India and their possible role in the development of dry (mode 1) and moist (mode 2) heatwaves. These modes are associated with midlatitude Rossby waves intruding over the Indian region. However the role of regional forcing and the teleconnection behind the intensification of the heatwaves over India is missing. The present study has analyzed the dynamical mechanisms for the regional intensification of the circulation features associated with the dominant moist heatwave mode (mode 2). Considering the predominant barotropic nature of the observed circulation features of the mode, a simple barotropic vorticity equation model forced with extratropical and regional vorticity sources is used to understand the intensification of the heat waves. It was found that a wave response initiated by a cyclonic vorticity over the Bay of Bengal superimposes with the mid-latitude anticyclonic vorticity generated Rossby waves intruding over India. This superimposition results in the amplification and persistence of the anticyclonic vorticity phase over the Northwest Indian region, leading to the intensification of circulation. It was also found that the barotropically forced intensified circulation leads to the intensification of the heat stress. Under a climate change scenario, different circulation regimes, characterized by zonal stationary wave number and jet speed, which can favor the intensification are also identified.