Thunderstorm Development Study

Application Type: 50 Meter Weather Profile
Authors: Dr. Manabottam Mandal and Robert Herfst
Datalogger: CR3000
Data Retrieval: RAD Modem (0.5 km)
Measured Parameters: Six levels of wind speed/direction, air temperature, relative humidity. Soil moisture, soil temperature, 3-D wind. net radiation, and rainfall.

In the pre-monsoon season, March to the end of May, the West Medinipur region of West Bengal experiences the Nor’wester storm.  These are localized intense thunderstorms that begin their develop on the Chotanagpur Plateau.  The large areas of exposed bedrock on the plateau contribute to create thermals when the skies are clear (pre-monsoon) and solar radiation levels are high.  These thermals are dry and warm.  As northwestern winds carry this dry air towards the Bay of Bengal, they pick up moisture which, in turn, often progresses into thunderstorms.  These storms are famous for their intense lightning which damages property and kills animals and humans.  To better understand the lifecycle of these events, IIT Kharagpur has installed a 50 meter tower with sensors at 6 levels to profile the atmospheric conditions.

Dr. Manabottam Mandal of IIT Kharagpur has been studying these storm events for many years and is cooperating with researchers at Jadavpur University and BIT Ranchi.  Together they take a multi-discipline approach to understanding these phenomenon. The system uses the CR3000 along with multiplexers to increase the number of channels.  Data retrieval is accomplished using a RAD modem system.