Podcast
Questions and Answers
What primarily causes the seasonal reversal of atmospheric pressure and winds known as monsoons?
What primarily causes the seasonal reversal of atmospheric pressure and winds known as monsoons?
- Seasonal migration of wildlife
- Geothermal activities under the land
- Ocean currents originating from the equator
- Differential heating and cooling of land and sea areas (correct)
During which season does the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) move northwards in the northern hemisphere?
During which season does the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) move northwards in the northern hemisphere?
- Summer (correct)
- Winter
- Autumn
- Spring
What is one impact of dry monsoons on land?
What is one impact of dry monsoons on land?
- Intense rainfall over the land
- Increased water availability for agriculture
- Higher humidity levels
- Drought and arid conditions (correct)
What is a common consequence of wet monsoons on agricultural lands?
What is a common consequence of wet monsoons on agricultural lands?
What phenomenon describes the movement of air from high-pressure land to low-pressure ocean during dry monsoons?
What phenomenon describes the movement of air from high-pressure land to low-pressure ocean during dry monsoons?
What effect do wet monsoons have on the environment?
What effect do wet monsoons have on the environment?
What primarily influences the movement of the ITCZ and affects monsoon conditions on the Indian side?
What primarily influences the movement of the ITCZ and affects monsoon conditions on the Indian side?
Which of the following describes a fundamental characteristic of dry monsoons?
Which of the following describes a fundamental characteristic of dry monsoons?
What phenomenon occurs as a result of air moving from high pressure over the ocean to low pressure on land?
What phenomenon occurs as a result of air moving from high pressure over the ocean to low pressure on land?
Which lapse rate describes how unsaturated air cools as it rises?
Which lapse rate describes how unsaturated air cools as it rises?
What is the primary effect of föhn winds on the leeward side of mountains?
What is the primary effect of föhn winds on the leeward side of mountains?
Which of the following is a consequence of föhn winds within mountainous regions?
Which of the following is a consequence of föhn winds within mountainous regions?
Where is the Berg wind predominantly located?
Where is the Berg wind predominantly located?
How does the wet adiabatic lapse rate differ from the dry adiabatic lapse rate?
How does the wet adiabatic lapse rate differ from the dry adiabatic lapse rate?
What is a common effect of high-pressure systems over oceans?
What is a common effect of high-pressure systems over oceans?
Which of the following is NOT a type of wind associated with föhn effects?
Which of the following is NOT a type of wind associated with föhn effects?
What is a primary characteristic of wet monsoons during summer?
What is a primary characteristic of wet monsoons during summer?
How do dry monsoons generally affect land during winter?
How do dry monsoons generally affect land during winter?
What role does the Himalayan mountain range play during the monsoon season?
What role does the Himalayan mountain range play during the monsoon season?
What environmental impact can dry monsoons have on regions affected?
What environmental impact can dry monsoons have on regions affected?
What atmospheric condition is generally present over the ocean during dry monsoons?
What atmospheric condition is generally present over the ocean during dry monsoons?
What is one significant consequence of wet monsoons on agricultural land?
What is one significant consequence of wet monsoons on agricultural land?
Which phenomenon occurs as a result of the ITCZ moving northwards during summer?
Which phenomenon occurs as a result of the ITCZ moving northwards during summer?
What happens to temperatures over land during dry monsoons in winter?
What happens to temperatures over land during dry monsoons in winter?
What process occurs when air rises up the windward side of a mountain and cools at the wet adiabatic lapse rate?
What process occurs when air rises up the windward side of a mountain and cools at the wet adiabatic lapse rate?
Which type of wind is characterized by descending air that heats up at the dry adiabatic lapse rate on the leeward side?
Which type of wind is characterized by descending air that heats up at the dry adiabatic lapse rate on the leeward side?
Which effect does föhn wind have on forest areas?
Which effect does föhn wind have on forest areas?
What is the measurement of the dry adiabatic lapse rate (DALR) per 100m of ascent?
What is the measurement of the dry adiabatic lapse rate (DALR) per 100m of ascent?
What primarily leads to intense rainfall and flooding over land?
What primarily leads to intense rainfall and flooding over land?
Which of the following describes the characteristic of wet adiabatic lapse rate (WALR)?
Which of the following describes the characteristic of wet adiabatic lapse rate (WALR)?
Which wind has been associated with drought conditions in southern Africa?
Which wind has been associated with drought conditions in southern Africa?
What can result from the melting of snow due to föhn winds?
What can result from the melting of snow due to föhn winds?
Flashcards are hidden until you start studying
Study Notes
Ocean Breezes
- Cool, high-pressure air over the ocean moves to warm, low-pressure air over land
- Resultant intense temperatures and rainfall over land
- Rainfall often causes flooding
Föhn Winds
- Dry, hot wind that descends on the windward side of a mountain
- Air rises up the windward side of a mountain and cools at the dry adiabatic lapse rate
- Air becomes saturated and continues to rise, but now cools at the wet adiabatic lapse rate
- Cooling causes condensation, forming clouds, rain or snow on the windward slope
- Air descends on the leeward side and heats up at the dry adiabatic lapse rate
- Wind at the foot of the slope is hot and dry
- Examples of Föhn winds include:
- Berg Wind (Southern Africa)
- Chinook (Rocky Mountains)
- Zonda (Andes Mountains)
- Santa Ana (Southern California)
Lapse Rate
- Measures how much a pocket of air changes in temperature (°C) with a change in height (per 100m)
- Dry Adiabatic Lapse Rate (DALR)
- If air is unsaturated (very little moisture) then it will heat/cool faster
- Measure: 1°C change per 100m on the leeward side
- Wet Adiabatic Lapse Rate (WALR)
- If air is saturated (very moist) then it will heat/cool fairly slowly
- Measure: 0.5°C change per 100m on the windward side
Monsoons
- Seasonal reversal of atmospheric pressure and winds, accompanied by rainfall
- Causes:
- Differential heating and cooling of land and adjacent sea areas leads to changes in atmospheric pressure and winds
- Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) moves north (summer) in the Northern Hemisphere and south (summer) in the Southern Hemisphere, causing trade winds to converge and resulting in convectional rain
- Himalayan mountain range influences the movement of the ITCZ and triggers high rainfall on the Indian side during July
Wet Monsoon Impacts
- Irrigation for crop yields, industrial use, domestic use, drinking water
- Flooding can destroy crops, habitats, infrastructure, and cause fatalities/injuries
- Spread of diseases
- Economic impact from damages and disruptions
Dry Monsoon Impacts
- Drought conditions
- Water shortages impacting agriculture, industrial and domestic use
- Reduced crop yields
- Increased risk of wildfires
- Negative impact on ecosystems and habitats
- Economic stress on farming communities
- Increased air pollution due to lack of rain to cleanse the air
Dry Monsoons (Winter)
- Cold plateau, higher pressure on land
- Warm ocean, lower pressure
- Air moves from high pressure on land to low pressure on ocean
- Resultant rainfall over the ocean and drought/arid conditions on land
Wet Monsoons (Summer)
- Hot plateau, lower pressure on land
- Cool ocean, high pressure
- Air moves from high pressure on ocean to low pressure on land
- Resultant intense rainfall over land
Oceanic Winds
- Cooler ocean with higher pressure
- Warmer land with lower pressure
- Air moves from high pressure over the ocean to lower pressure over the land.
- This creates intense temperatures and rainfall over land
- The rain is often categorized as relief rain and can cause flooding
Föhn Winds
- Dry, hot wind that descends on the leeward side of a mountain.
- Air rises up the windward side of a mountain, cools, and becomes saturated
- Cooling leads to condensation and precipitation on the windward side.
- Air descends on the leeward side and warms up, resulting in hot and dry winds.
Föhn Wind Examples
- Berg Wind: Coastal areas of southern Africa
- Chinook: Rocky Mountains in the USA
- Zonda: Andes Mountains in Argentina
- Santa Ana: Southern California, USA
Föhn Wind Impacts
- Droughts
- Forest drying
- Increased wildfire risk
- Snowmelt leading to avalanches and flooding
Lapse Rate
- Measures how much a pocket of air changes temperature (°C) per 100 meters in height.
Dry Adiabatic Lapse Rate (DALR)
- Unsaturated air (very little moisture) heats or cools faster.
- Measure: 1°C change per 100 meters on the leeward side.
Wet Adiabatic Lapse Rate (WALR)
- Saturated air (very moist) heats or cools slower.
- Measure: 0.5°C change per 100 meters on the windward side.
Monsoons
- Seasonal reversal of atmospheric pressure and winds, accompanied by rainfall.
Monsoon Causes
- Differential heating and cooling of land and adjacent sea areas
- Changes in atmospheric pressure and winds
- Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) movement (northward in the Northern Hemisphere; southward in the Southern Hemisphere)
- Himalayan mountain range influences ITCZ movement
Wet Monsoons (Summer)
- Hot plateau with low pressure
- Warm sea with low pressure
- Air moves from high pressure over the ocean to low pressure over land.
- This results in intense rain over the land.
Wet Monsoon Impacts
- Irrigation
- Increased crop yields
- Water for industrial and domestic use
- Drinking water
- Environmental cleansing
- Cooling the environment
- Flooding
- Destruction of crops
- Loss of habitats
- Fatalities and injuries
- Destruction of infrastructure
- Economic impact
- Disease spread
Dry Monsoons (Winter)
- Cold plateau with high pressure
- Warm sea with low pressure
- Air moves from high pressure over the land to low pressure over the ocean.
- This results in intense rain over the ocean and drought over the land.
Dry Monsoon Impacts
- Drought conditions
- Water shortages for agriculture
- Reduced crop yields
- Water scarcity for industrial and domestic use
- Increased risk of wildfires
- Negative impacts on ecosystems and habitats
- Economic stress on farming communities
- Increased air pollution due to lack of rain to cleanse the air.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
