Monsoons

What percentage of the Earth's population lives in areas affected by the Asian monsoon?

Almost Half (50%)

Why do Monsoons occur?

Changing air pressures are the main reason. Monsoons are caused by the fact that the land heats up and cools down faster than water. Thus, in summer, land reaches a higher temperature (high T, low P) than the ocean. Air thus rises over the land. This causes an area of Low Pressure. Because winds blow from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure, an extremely constant, moist wind blows from the ocean. The rainfall during the rainy season of the monsoon is caused by the moist air rising as it passes upward over continental areas, especially the mountainous portion of continents.In the winter, because the land cools down very quickly (low T, high P), the ocean is thus warmer (high T, low P), a large area of low pressure develops over the Indian Ocean. The winds then reverse themselves and blow from the Northeast. Because the temperature difference is not as great as in the summer season, these offshore winds are not as strong as the rainy season onshore winds.

What are the consequences of an excessively dry or rainfall deficient monsoon season?

Drought and consequent Famine

What other regions experience monsoons besides South and Southeast Asia?

Equatorial Africa, northern Australia, and to much lesser extend, southwestern USA and northern Mexico.

What are the consequences of an excessively wet monsoon rainy season?

Flooding

What are some impacts of the North American Monsoon (NAM) in the parts of the USAThat it occurs?

Impact of NAM on Wild Fires

ITCZ

Inter Tropical Convergence Zone

What parts of the USA does the North American Monsoon (NAM), and what percentage of its total rainfall is derived from NAM?

It affects Mexico along the Sierra Madre Occidental as well as Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, West Texas, California, and perhaps Oklahoma.

The primary regions and countries impacted by the Southwest Monsoon are

South and parts of Southeast Asia. The main countries impacted are: India, Nepal, Bangla Desh, Pakistan, Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Philippines, China, Japan, and Korea.

What language is the word, "Monsoon," derived from?

The Arabic word, "mausin', which means 'season.'

What and where is the Inter-tropical Convergence Zone?

The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is an area of low pressure that forms where the Northeast Trade Winds meet the Southeast Trade Winds near the Earth's Equator.

When does the North American Monsoon (NAM) occur?

The North American Monsoon (NAM) occurs from late June or early July into September, originating over Mexico and spreading into the southwest United States by mid-July.

by location)? From what direction do the winds blow during the Northeast Monsoon? What are the primary regions and countries impacted by the Northeast Monsoon?

The Northeast Monsoon begins in November/December and ends by early March. Note there is spatial variation in when the monsoon begins and ends and it also varies from year to year depending on other climatic factors.During the Northeast Monsoon, the winds blow from the Northeast.

When does the Southwest or Summer Monsoon begin and end (approximately as it differs by location)? From what direction do the winds blow during the Southwest Monsoon?What are the primary regions and countries impacted by the Southwest Monsoon?

The Southwest Monsoon begins in June and ends in September. Note there is spatial variation in when the Southwest monsoon rainy season begins and ends, and it also varies from year to year depending on other climatic factors.During the Southwest Monsoon, the winds blow from the Southwest.

What is the effect of an El Nino Event in the Equatorial Pacific Ocean, especially a strong one, on the Asian Southwest Monsoon? (does not hurt to ask this again!)

The effect of an El Nino Event, especially a strong one, in the Equatorial Pacific Ocean is to suppress or lessen the Asian Southwest Monsoon, meaning it will be shorter in duration and less intense, and in rare cases, not occur at all.

What are the main countries in South and Southeast Asia impacted by the Southwest Monsoon?

The main countries impacted are: India, Nepal, Bangla Desh, Pakistan, Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Laos, Southeast China, Cambodia, and the Philippines.

Monsoon

The seasonal reversals of wind direction along the shores of the Indian Ocean,Especially in the Arabian Sea, that blow from the southwest during one half of the year and from the northeast during the other. The winds that blow from the Southwest are moist, onshore winds (Indian Ocean to Asian Continent), and the winds that blow from the Northeast are dry, offshore winds (continent to Indian ocean)

What are the sources of moisture for the North American Monsoon?

This wind flow pattern directs moisture originating in the Gulf of Mexico, Gulf of California and the tropical Pacific by way of northern Mexico into the region, setting off brief, but often torrential thunderstorms, especially over mountainous terrain.

The primary regions and countries impacted by the Northeast Monsoon are the

more southerly parts of Southeast Asia and northern Australia. The main countries impacted are: southern Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and northern Australia.