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Which Wind Accounts for Rainfall along the Malabar Coast?

By BYJU'S Exam Prep

Updated on: November 14th, 2023

Southwest monsoon winds account for the rainfall along the Malabar Coast. The Malabar Coast receives significant rainfall in June and July, as it is the first region to be affected by the southwest monsoon. A cycle of seasons is created by seasonal changes in wind patterns and the accompanying seasons. The weather in India is known as the “monsoon” type. South Asia and South-East Asia have a monsoon-type climate.

Wind for Rainfall along the Malabar Coast

Monsoon is an important season in India. It is one of the primary factors on which agriculture depends. Therefore, it is essential to understand the workings of this season and its impact. The monsoon season in India usually begins in the first week of June at the southernmost point of the Indian peninsula.

Southwest Monsoon Winds

The Southwest monsoon winds are in charge of bringing copious amounts of rain to the Indian subcontinent. When these winds pass over warm oceans, they pick up moisture. The air moves south-easterly over the southern Indian Ocean.

  • Air travels from an area of high pressure to one of low pressure. The air turns toward the Indian subcontinent, which has low-pressure zones, once it passes the equator.
  • In this area, the upper air circulation is dominated by the westerly flow.
  • This Westerly flow contains a significant amount of Jet Stream.
  • Since they are positioned between 27 and 30 degrees north latitude, these jet streams are also referred to as subtropical westerly jet streams.
  • These jet streams, with the exception of the summer, always blow south of the Himalayas over India.
  • During the summer, the subtropical westerly jet stream flows north of the Himalayas along with the sun’s apparent motion.
  • A subtropical easterly jet stream passes through peninsular India during the summer at a latitude of roughly 14°N. Easterly jet streams are these.
  • The western cyclonic disturbances that affect India’s northwestern and northern regions are caused by westerly flow.

The intensity of rainfall over the Western Coast is dependent on 2 major factors.

  • Along the eastern coast of Africa, the position of the equatorial jet stream.
  • The offshore meteorological conditions.

Advancement of Monsoon in India

The Indian monsoon lasts from 100 to 120 days. It advances rapidly but slowly retreats. It splits into two branches: one for the Arabian Sea and one for the Bay of Bengal.

  • By the first of June, the southwest monsoon starts affecting the Kerala coast.
  • They reach Mumbai and Kolkata by 10 June and 13 June respectively.
  • By mid-July, the southwest monsoon has reached the entire subcontinent.
  • The Bay of Bengal branch reaches Assam around the first week of June.
  • The Himalayan mountains cause these winds to refract westwards over the Gangetic plains.
  • By mid-June, the Arabian Sea branch of monsoon winds has completely covered the center of the country and the Saurashtra-Kutch region.
  • In the western part of the Gangetic plain, the Arabian Sea branch and the Bay of Bengal branch of the monsoon meet.
  • Usually, Delhi receives rains towards the end of June due to the Bay of Bengal branch.
  • By the first week of July, eastern Rajasthan, western Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana often experience the monsoon season.
  • Till mid-July, Himachal Pradesh and the rest of the country receive frequent rains.

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