Temperature changes in the Indian Ocean lead to extreme weather events in Australia and east Africa

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