IMD to give monsoon and summer forecasts
Q. Which of the following forecasts are given by the IMD?
1) Monsoon forecasts
2) Summer forecasts
3) Winter forecasts- Published on 11 Feb 16a. 1 and 3
b. 2 and 3
c. 1 and 2
d. All of the above
ANSWER: 1 and 2
- For the first time in its history, the India Meteorological Department — best known for its monsoon forecasts — will issue a summer forecast for April, May and June. Those involved say that though such a forecast may not be of much help to farmers — who rely on IMD’s rain forecasts to make sowing decisions and don’t plant their crops in these months — the information would be useful to power companies, several service-sector industries and state planners who’d like a heads-up on possible water shortages.
- In mid-March, the IMD will send out a color-coded map of India, showing how temperatures in different regions of the country are likely to deviate from what’s normal, during summer months. These numbers would be updated every five days
- IMD reports to Ministry of Earth Sciences.
- Businesses that have requested summer forecasts include manufacturers of refrigerators, air conditioners, ice cream and cold drinks.
- The IMD does give warnings about imminent heat waves and dry weather but these are no more than five days ahead. The key factor to forecasting weather a few months ahead is in ensuring that the computerized weather models are consistently able to simulate the weather as it actually plays out.
