How do northeast monsoon winds affect the Arabian Sea from November to March?

During the dry season from November to March, the northeast monsoon winds significantly influence the Arabian Sea in the following ways:

• Salinity: Because this period is characterized by dry conditions, the sea experiences higher salinity levels. Surface salinities exceeding 35 parts per thousand have been recorded across the entire Arabian Sea north of 5° N, with the exception of the area off the Somali coast.1
• Ocean Circulation: The Somali Current, which flows in a clockwise direction during the summer, weakens and reverses its direction during the northeast monsoon.1
• Surface Currents: The broader Monsoon Current system shifts, with the Indian North Equatorial Current (also known as the Northeast Monsoon Drift) flowing southwest and west across the Equator.2

These changes reflect the seasonal reversal of wind patterns that define the climate and hydrology of the northern Indian Ocean.12