Heat content variability in the tropical Indian Ocean during second pre-INDOEX campaign (boreal winter 1996–1997)

Surface meteorological data and upper ocean temperature profiles are obtained on-board ORV Sagar Kanya (cruise 120) during the second pre-INDOEX Campaign (December 1996–January 1997) for evaluating the north–south variability of surface heat fluxes and upper oceanic heat content. Heat content in upper 200 m decreased southward by 50 × 108 Jm-2 along the ship's track. There is a net heat loss on either side of the equator with a marginal gain at the equator. In the vicinity of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone around 8°S where sea surface temperature is maximum, the heat content is conspicuously low, suggesting the divergence regime in the water column (0–200 m) due to a shear between southern equatorial and equatorial counter currents.