The air temperature is related to rainfall in terms of
developing the temperature gradient between land and
sea that subsequently strengthens the monsoon. In this
study, the summer season temperature is averaged
for MAM. Figure 3 shows the inverse relationship
between the dry-season rainfall and MAM air temperature.
As expected, if more rainfall is received
during November–April, it would tend to cool the land
and atmosphere, thus decreasing the air temperature
during MAM and vice versa.
The MAM temperature subsequently plays a role
in driving pre-monsoon and monsoon season rainfall.
Figure 4 shows the relationships between the MAM
air temperature and both MJJ rainfall and ASO rainfall.
During the pre-monsoon season or the transition
period, the land–ocean temperature gradient is not
fully developed. Hence, inverse relationships between
MAM temperature and MJJ rainfall are found. During
the monsoon season, as the positive relationships indicate,
the higher MAM air temperature increases the
ASO rainfall, whereas the lower MAM air temperature
decreases the ASO rainfall.