Cloud Cover over the Intertropical Indian Ocean

TLDR: Satellite observations of cloud cover have been used to compile average daily cloud charts for the intertropical Indian Ocean in 1967 and 1968 as mentioned in this paper, where three relatively cloud-free zones persisted throughout both years, as did a broad corss-equatorial belt of relatively large cloud amounts, and considerable variations were apparent in cloud cover associated with the south-west monsoon.

Abstract: Satellite observations of cloud cover have been used to compile average daily cloud charts for the intertropical Indian Ocean in 1967 and 1968. Annual, semiannual, seasonal and monthly averages have been examined to identify the major features of cloud distributions. Trend surface coefficients for average cloud cover have also been calculated, partly to aid comparisons between different periods, and partly as an experiment to determine their applicability to such problems. The greatest variations in cloud cover have been found to occur over the northern part of the Indian Ocean; three relatively cloud-free zones persisted throughout both years, as did a broad corss-equatorial belt of relatively large cloud amounts; considerable variations were apparent in cloud cover associated with the south-west monsoon; and there was evidence for inter-hemispheric linkages both before and during the south-west monsoon season.