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Monsoon_Mechanism

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Monsoon_Mechanism

Uploaded by

pandeyabhishek6965
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Monsoon Mechanism, Jet Streams, El Nino & La Nina, and Pressure Belts

# 1. Monsoon Mechanism

Monsoons are seasonal winds that bring heavy rainfall during


summer and dry conditions in winter,
primarily affecting South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Africa.

## 1.1 Causes of Monsoons


Monsoons are driven by differential heating of land and water, which
creates pressure differences
leading to seasonal wind reversals.

## 1.2 Indian Monsoon System


India experiences two types of monsoons:

### (A) Southwest Monsoon (June-September)


- During summer, the land heats up faster than the ocean.
- A low-pressure area develops over the Indian subcontinent.
- A high-pressure area is over the Indian Ocean.
- Moist winds from the Indian Ocean move towards land, bringing
heavy rainfall.
- The monsoon splits into two branches:
1. Arabian Sea Branch - Hits the Western Ghats, causing orographic
rainfall.
2. Bay of Bengal Branch - Moves towards the Northeast and spreads
across the plains.

### (B) Northeast Monsoon (October-December)


- In winter, the land cools faster than the ocean.
- A high-pressure area develops over the Indian subcontinent.
- Winds blow from land to sea, bringing dry conditions.
- Tamil Nadu receives rainfall as winds pick up moisture from the Bay
of Bengal.

## 1.3 Factors Influencing the Indian Monsoon


1. Jet Streams
2. El Niño and La Niña
3. Himalayas - Block cold Siberian winds.
4. Tibetan Plateau - Acts as a heat source, intensifying the monsoon.

# 2. Jet Streams

Jet streams are fast-moving air currents in the upper atmosphere


(~9-14 km altitude) that influence
weather and monsoons.

## 2.1 Types of Jet Streams


- Subtropical Jet Stream (STJ) - Found at 30° latitude, affects
monsoon onset.
- Polar Jet Stream (PJ) - Found at 60° latitude, affects western
disturbances.
- Tropical Easterly Jet (TEJ) - Forms over India and strengthens the
southwest monsoon.

## 2.2 Role in the Indian Monsoon


- In summer, the subtropical jet moves northward, allowing warm,
moist air to flow in -> monsoon onset.
- In winter, it shifts southward, bringing dry conditions.
- The westerly jet stream brings western disturbances in winter,
causing rainfall in North India.
# 3. El Niño and La Niña

El Niño and La Niña are oceanic phenomena that disrupt global


weather patterns, including monsoons.

## 3.1 El Niño (Bad for Indian Monsoon)


- Unusual warming of the Pacific Ocean near Peru.
- Weakens the trade winds, reducing moisture transport.
- Causes droughts in India and weak monsoons.
- Example: El Niño in 2009 caused severe drought in India.

## 3.2 La Niña (Good for Indian Monsoon)


- Cooling of the Pacific Ocean.
- Strengthens the trade winds, bringing more moisture to India.
- Leads to heavy rainfall and stronger monsoons.
- Example: La Niña in 2020-21 brought above-average rainfall.

## 3.3 ENSO (El Niño-Southern Oscillation)


- ENSO refers to the alternating cycle of El Niño and La Niña,
impacting monsoons and climate globally.

# 4. Pressure Belts and Global Wind Circulation

The Earth has six pressure belts due to differential heating and
Earth's rotation. These belts influence
global wind patterns.

## 4.1 Pressure Belts and Wind Circulation Model


- Equatorial Low (Doldrums) - 0° latitude, rising air, hot and rainy.
- Subtropical High (Horse Latitudes) - 30°N & 30°S, dry, desert
regions.
- Subpolar Low - 60°N & 60°S, cloudy and rainy.
- Polar High - 90°N & 90°S, very cold and dry.

## 4.2 Wind Systems Associated


- Trade Winds - Blow from subtropical highs to the equator.
- Westerlies - Blow from subtropical highs to subpolar lows.
- Polar Easterlies - Blow from polar highs to subpolar lows.

## 4.3 Role in Indian Monsoon


- Pressure belts shift northward in summer, allowing moist winds to
reach India.
- In winter, the belts shift southward, leading to dry conditions.

# Summary of Key Points:


* Monsoons are caused by land-sea heating differences and pressure
changes.
* Jet Streams shift seasonally and impact monsoon onset & retreat.
* El Niño weakens the monsoon (drought), La Niña strengthens it
(heavy rains).
* Pressure belts control global wind circulation, including trade winds
affecting monsoons.

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