A monsoon, which is a great ocean breeze, occurs when the wind blows from the colder ocean to the much warmer landmass. This seasonal weather pattern is the result of changes in the circulation of the atmosphere and precipitation resulting from the warming of both. The land and the sea. Although most people associate monsoons with rain, they can also include periods of drought. The Asia-Australian and West African monsoons are the main monsoon systems, while there are also North and South American monsoons. Depending on the location, a monsoon may not change the weather significantly, while in some cases it can turn a desert into a lush green prairie. Monsoon doesn’t mean rain, although many people believe that is what it means. They are simply strong breezes that blow from cold to warm environments.
1. It is estimated that there are approximately 500,000 lightning strikes during a monsoon.
2. Arizona receives 31.5% of its total annual rainfall during a monsoon.
3. The word monsoon is believed to be derived from the Arabic word ‘mausim’. Mausim means a shift in wind or season.
4. In Arizona, during the monsoon season, it is also common to see a wall of dust that reaches hundreds of feet in the air.
5. In many parts of the world, life itself depends on the monsoon rains. When the monsoon does not occur in these areas, it can result in widespread famine, and death of both animals and humans.
6. In the US, New Mexico, Southwest Texas, and Arizona are all regions with a monsoon season from June 15th to September 30th every year.
7. India experiences the most dramatic monsoons in the world.
8. In Europe they call the monsoon system they experience the ‘Return of the Westerlies’.
9. A monsoon storm can range from a violent thunderstorm to only small dust storms.
10. The monsoon of western Sub-Saharan Africa is the result of the seasonal shifts of the Intertropical Convergence Zone and the great seasonal temperature and humidity differences between the Sahara and the equatorial Atlantic Ocean..
11. In India, during monsoon season, it is common to see a mouse on the back of frog. They do this to escape the floodwaters.
12. In the United States, Southwest Texas, New Mexico and Arizona are all part of a monsoon season from June 15th to September 30th each year.
13. During a monsoon there are weather hazards that people should be aware of including downburst winds, lightning, dust storms, thunderstorms, wildfires, extreme heat and flash floods.
14. The Asian monsoons may be classified into a few sub-systems, such as the Indian Subcontinental Monsoon which affects the Indian subcontinent and surrounding regions including Nepal, and the East Asian Monsoon which affects southern China, Taiwan, Korea and parts of Japan.
15. In Arizona, during the monsoon, it is not uncommon to see a wall of dust that reaches hundreds of feet in the air.
16. Most of India’s rain falls during the monsoon. Because of the fact that approximately only 33% of India’s crops are grown on irrigated land, without the rain from the monsoon, many farmers’ incomes would be wiped out.
17. Flash floods can occur during the monsoon season, so if your home is situated in a flood-prone area, it is always best to have an evacuation plan in place.
18. In 2002 and 2004 the India Meteorological Department failed to predict the droughts that occurred. Since 1886, when the very first India monsoon forecast was made, there have only been 23 drought years in India.
19. In India they have insurance for farmers to cover uncertain weather.
20. Approximately 70% of people in India are dependent on farming either indirectly or directly. That means the lives of 70% of people in India are financially tied to the monsoon.
21. The 2005 monsoon in India was so strong that more than 1,100 people were killed.
22. A monsoon always blows from a cold region to a warm region.
