Ocean Mean Temperature and Monsoon

Ocean Mean Temperature (OMT) is measured up to the depth of the 26°C isotherm. However, in the south-western Indian Ocean during January-March, this depth is typically around 59 meters, not 129 meters (Statement 1 is incorrect). Research by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) has shown that OMT data from January-March is a significantly more accurate predictor of the Indian summer monsoon rainfall (whether it will be above or below average) compared to traditional Sea Surface Temperature (SST) measurements (Statement 2 is correct). > One-line conceptual takeaway: Because it captures the total thermal energy of the upper ocean layer, Ocean Mean Temperature is a superior predictive tool for monsoon rainfall than surface temperatures alone. Answer: (b).