Performance of Moored Real-Time Ocean Observations During Cyclones in the Bay of Bengal

Abstract

Cyclones tracking northward across the Bay of Bengal represent a significant threat to life and safety when they make landfall. Surface moorings of the Ocean Moored Network for the Northern Indian Ocean in the Bay of Bengal have been deployed to provide real-time observations in support of improved alerts and predictions of cyclones. Engineering goals are both to develop robust surface moorings that survive and to field meteorological and oceanographic instruments that reliably provide data in real time. While the mooring design and reliability were previously reported, the focus here is on the motivations for installing the instrumentation, and on experience gained during the passage of cyclone Amphan in May 2020, examining the sensor as well as mooring performance. The paper presents reasons for fielding the chosen sensors, merits, and shortcomings during the effort to observe Amphan, and recommendations for how to better address the challenges of providing real-time observations of cyclones in the Bay of Bengal.