Mean surface meteorological parameter characterization at Kavaratti, Lakshadweep Island, South-East Arabian Sea

Soon after the south-west monsoon, mean surface meteorological parameters at the Kavaratti Island begin to change. Wind, which was south-west in direction during the monsoon period, turns to north-north and eventually to north-east direction with lesser intensity. Monthly mean wind speed in October was ~2 ms while in July it was~7 ms. Monthly mean surface air pressure in October was ~1008 hPa as against ~1007 hPa in July. Surface air-temperature and relative humidity also exhibited similar variability. Monthly mean air temperature and humidity in October were ~28C, and ~76% respectively, while in July ~26C, and ~87% respectively were recorded. In general, wind was predominantly in the north/north-westerly direction throughout the year, except June-July during which a west/south-westerly winds was observed. Minimum atmospheric pressure occurs during June-July (southwest monsoon period) and the maximum during December-January (northeast monsoon period). Air temperature demonstrates steady increase from January to May before descending to minimum during July-August. During the observational period (2009) inverse relationships between barometric pressure and air-temperature was observed. Similar relationship between relative humidity and airtemperature was also noticed.