Monsoons

Monsoons are seasonal winds. The word monsoon comes from the Arabic word for season. There are wet and dry monsoons.

The Wet Monsoon The wet monsoon arrives in late May or early June. South Asia relies on the wet monsoon for most of its annual rainfall. Flooding often occurs in September at the end of the monsoon season.

The Dry Monsoon The dry monsoon arrives in October and lasts though November.

Atmospheric Pressure High Pressure- heavier, drier air Low Pressure- lighter, moister air As air rises, it cools, the humidity condenses, and it rains

Pressure Gradient Forces Air masses flow from high pressure to low pressure

Coriolis Effect Air masses are deflected due to earth’s rotation

Differential Heating Air masses over land heat and cool faster than air masses over water

Winds 1. Winds are described by the direction from which they blow 2. Sea breeze- summer day at the beach 3. Land Breeze- summer night at the beach

Summer Day at the Beach Summer Night at the Beach

Wet Monsoon

Dry Monsoon