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Difference Between Advancing Monsoon and Retreating Monsoon

By BYJU'S Exam Prep

Updated on: November 14th, 2023

The difference between Advancing Monsoon and Retreating Monsoon is the wind-blowing direction. In an advancing monsoon, the wind blows in the southwest direction, i.e., from sea to land, while in the case of a retreating monsoon, the wind blows from land to sea. The wind direction for Advancing Monsoon is towards North-East, whereas for Retreating Monsoon, the wind blows towards the South-West.

Difference Between Advancing Monsoon and Retreating Monsoon PDF

Advancing monsoon covers the entire subcontinent in over a month, except the North-West, while the retreating monsoons start in early September in the north-western states. Below, in this article, you will learn about the difference between Advancing Monsoon and Retreating Monsoon.

Difference Between Advancing Monsoon and Retreating Monsoon

India experiences four seasons that includes Winter (the season of cold weather), Summer (the season of hot weather), Rainy Season (The season of advancing monsoon), and Transition Season (the season of retreating monsoon).

The Advancing monsoon carries the moist wind, while the retreating monsoon carries the dry wind and the rain. The major points of difference between advancing monsoon and retreating monsoon lie in the direction of the wind blowing and the rainfall.

Advancing Monsoon and Retreating Monsoon

Difference Between Advancing Monsoon and Retreating Monsoon

Points of difference

Advancing Monsoon

Retreating Monsoon

Course

Advancing winds enter from the South by mid-June and move Northwards.

They cover the entire subcontinent in over a month, except the North-West.

Retreating monsoon begins in early September in the north-western states, and by mid-October, it completely withdraws from the northern half of the Indian peninsula.

By early December, monsoon retreats from the rest of the country.

Typical features

Wet and dry spells, the monsoon trough, and tropical depressions.

Clear skies, high temperatures, and high humidity in the Northern plains.

Rainfall Amount

Another major difference between Advancing Monsoon and Retreating Monsoon is that the advancing monsoon results in High rainfall.

In terms of the difference, the retreating monsoon receives moderate to low rainfall compared to the advancing monsoon.

Wind movement

The wind pattern is from Sea to Land.

The winds blow from Land to Sea.

Wind type

Advancing monsoon carries moist winds

Retreating monsoon has dry winds

Wind direction

Towards North-East

Towards South-West

Affected regions

The Western and Northeastern parts of India, Mawsynram, and Khasi hills in Meghalaya receive maximum rainfall from the advancing monsoon.

The southeastern coast-like states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu receive maximum rainfall from the retreating monsoon.

Advancing Monsoon and Retreating Monsoon

Monsoons denote a seasonal change in the wind pattern that causes rain. The monsoon is caused by temperature differences in the air over land and sea. Southeast Asia and India greatly depend on the Indian monsoon for their economic needs of agriculture, irrigation systems, electricity, and hydroelectricity.

The Indian Meteorological Department recognizes the months between March to May as pre-monsoon seasons, June to September as southwest monsoon seasons and October to December as post-monsoon seasons.

What is Advancing Monsoon?

Advancing monsoon, also called the South West monsoon, is the monsoon that occurs in the month of June to September. The advancing monsoon in India is said to bring many major changes in Indian weather conditions.

  • Initially, the advancing monsoon results in heavy rainfall in the Western Ghats.
  • It moves towards the northeast parts of India.
  • During this season, the northeast part of India receives the highest rainfall.
  • The majority of India’s rain falls during the advancing monsoon season.
  • Rain falls across much of India during the advancing monsoon.

What is Retreating Monsoon?

Retreating monsoon is the monsoon during the months of October and November. During this phase, the winds of the southwest monsoon become weak. This weakness results in the retreating of the winds from North Indian skies.

  • The temperatures at the time of the retreating monsoon show a significant drop.
  • Along with the drop in the temperature, the pressure gradients also become low.
  • The retreating monsoon gives rise to the October heat.
  • Its season starts in October and lasts until November.
  • Rain falls only along the eastern coast of South India during the retreating monsoon.

Conclusion:

Key Difference Between Advancing Monsoon and Retreating Monsoon

The key difference between Advancing Monsoon and Retreating Monsoon is that the advanced monsoon results in heavy rainfall in the northeastern states. However, the retreating monsoon results in moderate rainfall compared to the advancing one.

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