Teleconnections between Bangladesh Summer Monsoon Rainfall and Sea Surface Temperature in the Indian Ocean

To explore the teleconnections between Bangladesh summer monsoon rainfall (BSMR) and sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies over different parts of the ocean have been examined from the years 1961–2008 (48-year). Global NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data of SST have been used at 2 degree by 2 degree grid in this study. A significant positive correlation (0.44) was found between the BSMR and SST over the southwest Indian Ocean (around 30° S) in the month of February. All other monthly (January to May) correlations were not found to be significant. The SST over the Bay of Bengal was positively correlated with BSMR but not significant. During summer monsoon season the prevailing wind has a south-westerly direction over Bangladesh. The SST over the southwest Indian Ocean is especially important at 30°–36° S latitude and 74°–78° E longitude to develop the linear regression model to predict summer monsoon rainfall in Bangladesh.