| This study used Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission-Precipitation Radar (TRMM-PR) data to examine seasonal changes in rainfall characteristics over the Southeast Asian monsoon region, with a focus on the diurnal rainfall cycle. No distinct seasonal changes in the phases of diurnal variations of rainfall were found, even though low-level wind fields changed largely with the seasonal march. Regions with an afternoon maximum received large amounts of rainfall during the pre-monsoon season, whereas regions with a nocturnal or morning rainfall maximum received little rainfall during the pre-monsoon season. This result suggests that the difference in diurnal rainfall may be associated with the seasonal march of monsoon rainfall over the Southeast Asian monsoon region. |