Monsoons

MonsoonsMonsoons are

seasonal winds.

The word monsoon comes from the Arabic word for season.

There are wet and dry monsoons.

The Wet MonsoonThe 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 PressureHigh Pressure- heavier, drier air

Low Pressure- lighter, moister air

As air rises, it cools, the humidity condenses, and it rains

Pressure Gradient ForcesAir masses flow from high pressure to low pressure

Coriolis Effect

Air masses are deflected due to earth’s rotation

Differential HeatingAir 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