GENESIS OF THE MONSOON TROUGH BOUNDARY-LAYER EXPERIMENT (MONTBLEX)

This paper sets out the motivation for carrying out an observational e xperiment on the atmospheric boundary layer along the monsoon trough, in the light of earlier studies of the atmospheric boundary layer in I ndia and elsewhere, and the significant role that the trough has been shown to play as a key semi-permanent feature of the southwest monsoon . The scientific objectives of the experiment are set out, and its pla nning and execution are touched upon. Some of the gains resulting from the experiment are mentioned, and lessons for the future about the co nduct of such programmes are drawn.