Among the most impressive of climate changes experienced around the world are the monsoon winds that occur in several locations. Most scientists and weather observers agree that the strongest monsoon winds occur in India. This weather phenomenon is created in winter when a high-pressure area forms far to the north, over Siberia. The strength of this young storm lies in the sinking of a very cold air mass. When such significant air movement occurs, the outflow pushes strong winds to the southeast, where they pass over India and move out into the ocean. In most cases, the clouds and rain that might be present are dissipated by such strong air movement.
Weather prediction techniques developed over the past few decades have allowed meteorologists and others to more accurately pinpoint when the monsoon season begins and ends. For example, in summer the high-pressure area over Siberia is much weaker, with an accompanying low-pressure zone over the northern half of India. The low pressure allows moist, warm air to move in from the Indian Ocean. Heavy rains generally result from this seasonal shift.
Those who make their living from the land in India and surrounding areas depend heavily on this cycle of monsoon wind and the rainy season that follows. If the cycle is interrupted by unusual conditions, as it is sometimes, agriculture suffers, prices for commodities rise and many of the poorer citizens go hungry.
This is just one of the more extreme examples of how the sun's heat, the makeup of the Earth's atmosphere and the rotation of the planet all combine to form a complex weather system. The movement of air masses, upward, downward and across the landscape, have much to do with what plants and animals experience on the ground.
But not all air mass movement and wind is so extreme or has so strong an impact on life. There are small-scale winds that have some impact on climate conditions, often without disrupting life so significantly.
Sea breezes occur along the coast, as the name implies. As with most changes in weather conditions, this breeze has its beginnings in the way water and land heat up and cool down. The ground heats up more quickly, causing warm air over the land to rise. Cooler air above the ocean moves in to replace this rising warm air and those along the coast enjoy a sea breeze. The process reverses itself at night, when warmer air above the ocean is rising. The cooler air mass from the shore moves out to sea, providing a land breeze.
Another unique wind is created in the mountainous regions of the world, when wind crossing the mountain sinks rapidly on the opposite side. The warmth of this wind can melt snow quite rapidly. A number of other local and regional climate conditions are linked to the movement of air masses, the change in temperature and the resulting winds. Each results from a unique combination of changes as the Earth goes through its natural cycles.
Ken Morris routinely publishes detailed reports on problems dealing with climate changes and weather prediction. From his works on calpe weather and weather prediction the writer confirmed his knowledge in the field.
Source: www.isnare.com
