1
In a warming world the western Indian Ocean heats up more than the eastern Indian Ocean
Atmospheric circulation and rainfall distribution are altered by the difference in these two ocean temperatures
Flooding
Altered atmospheric
and rainfall distribution
Rain
Rain
Indian
Ocean
Drought
Warmer than
normal sea
temperatures
Cooler than
normal sea
temperatures
2
3
Rising warm, moist air in the west leads to rainfall that can cause devastating floods in east African countries
Less warm air rises in the eastern Indian Ocean because the waters are cooler - this results in less rain, causing drought and extreme fire conditions in Australia
3
2
Rain
Cooler
air and
less rain
Flooding
Altered
atmospheric
and rainfall
distribution
Rain
Indian Ocean
Cooler than
normal sea
temperatures
Drought
Warmer than
normal sea
temperatures
1
2
3
In a warming world the western Indian Ocean heats up more than the eastern Indian Ocean
Atmospheric circulation and rainfall distribution are altered by the difference in these two ocean temperatures
Rising warm, moist air in the west leads to rainfall that can cause devastating floods in east African countries
Less warm air rises in the eastern Indian Ocean because the waters are cooler - this results in less rain, causing drought and extreme fire conditions in Australia
2
3
Rain
Cooler
air and
less rain
Flooding
Altered
atmospheric
and rainfall
distribution
Indian Ocean
Cooler than
normal sea
temperatures
Drought
Warmer than
normal sea
temperatures
1
2
3
In a warming world the western Indian Ocean heats up more than the eastern Indian Ocean
Atmospheric circulation and rainfall distribution are altered by the difference in these two ocean temperatures
Rising warm, moist air in the west leads to rainfall that can cause devastating floods in east African countries
Less warm air rises in the eastern Indian Ocean because the waters are cooler - this results in less rain, causing drought and extreme fire conditions in Australia