Monsoon Facts: Learn Everything About The Rainy Season

In many parts of the world, the food chain depends on monsoon rains.

A depletion in monsoon rains can result in widespread droughts, crop failures, and famines affecting the food chain for both animals and humans. However, an outpour of rain can result in devastating floods that claim many lives and cause property damage.

Though most people associate monsoons with rain, it can include dry weather too. Monsoon occurs when a large sea breeze blows from over the cold ocean to the hot land. While in some places, the weather pattern in monsoon brings violent thunderstorms, in other places, it could just be dust storms.

The summer monsoon is experienced in between the months of April and September. It is accompanied by heavy rainfall. The winter monsoon usually occurs between October and April. These rains are less powerful than summer rains.

Usually, prevailing winds at a given place change the direction. They typically blow from a cold to a hot region during the monsoon. It is nothing more than strong gusts blowing from cold to hot locations. These weather conditions show their effects majorly over the Indian Ocean and show significant effects. 

The word 'monsoon' was derived from the Arabic term 'mausim.' This word means dramatic seasonal shifts in wind direction that occur in several places on the planet. This weather is the mixture of the shift in wind direction and also an increase or decrease in precipitation.

Indonesia, northern Australia, India, and Central America's Pacific coast experience great monsoons. Although there are monsoonal tendencies throughout the Gulf Coast of the USA and in central Europe, actual monsoons do not occur in those areas.

Preparing For The Monsoon Season

Monsoon season is one of the most awaited seasons in most countries. It is known for its soothing rain and winds that bring calmness to one’s mind. They establish an unending connection with mother Earth. Monsoon rains may be accompanied by strong winds and heavy rainfall that leads to dust storms, floods, and lightning. Did you know that about 500,000 lightning bolts strike the Earth during a monsoon?

Being prepared for this seasonal change is crucial. During most monsoons, lightning and flash floods are very common. These rains bring humidity, moisture, drainage blocking, and other sewage problems. They also lead to the breeding of microorganisms and increase incidences of flu and other seasonal diseases. That is why it is important to be monsoon-ready.

Before the storm begins, certain safety measures are a must. Monsoons are quick and strong. The weather has to be continuously monitored to have a track of the advancements in these rains from one region to another. Severe weather leads to loss of power supply in many regions. It is essential to have electric supplies at hand to prevent any such situations. 

Clear away any muddle around your home, remove plant pots, fix drain pipes, gutters, and pit latrines. Fix any issues with your roof to forestall leaks and any areas around your home that will be plagued by excessive rain or flooding. Keep your toilet clean and dry throughout the season. It is important to avoid breeding mosquitoes and other insects in dirty water.

In the case of floods, water contamination could be a major problem. Eat freshly-cooked food, vegetables, and fruits, and if possible, avoid eating out, especially in an unhygienic setup. Adhere to correct hygiene and sanitation practices, and wash your hands often with soap and water.

Duration Of Monsoon Season

Monsoon season, in general, lasts for 100-120 days. The monsoon winds are majorly divided into the North American monsoon, summer monsoon, winter monsoon, Asian Australian monsoon, and north Yankee monsoon. 

Monsoon in the North American region usually lasts from July to September, while the summertime monsoon is usually associated with heavy rain. It happens in April as well as in September. The monsoon season creates a humid climate and results in torrential rain in those areas. Summer monsoons are usually influenced by westerly elements that can turn out into copious rain, which happens because of the condensation of vapor within the rising air. The intensity and length of these rains, however, don't seem to be uniform from year to year.

The winter monsoon of the Indian Ocean lasts from the Gregorian calendar month of June to September. The dried winter monsoons blow from the northeast direction. These heavy winds begin within the air above northwestern China and Mongolia.

Asian-Australian monsoons, which incorporate the ocean, stretch from northern Australia to the Russian coast. This vast monsoon wind system then stretches into the ocean. Finally, it reaches its endwise to the Indian coast of the continent. Monsoon winds also exist in alternative elements of the planet. The north Yankee monsoon happens once a year, typically within the middle of summer. Warm, damp air from the Gulf of American states blows northeast, while warm, damp air from the Gulf of North American nations blows northwest.

Monsoons In Different Continents

Monsoons vary in different continents considerably based on the rainfall patterns, duration, and range. Some of the areas where effects of monsoon rains can be experienced are Africa, America (North America in particular), most of the Asian countries, and Europe. The Gulf of California, as well as the Gulf of Mexico, blows warmer, moist air towards the southwestern United States, causing the North American monsoon.

In the continent of Africa, the southeast African monsoon clouds are experienced over Mayotte Island. The western geographic area's monsoon is the Intertropical Current Zone's seasonal fluctuations, and therefore, the nice temperature and relative humidity during the season vary in the middle of the Sahara as well as the Atlantic Ocean's equatorial region. The dried, northeasterly prevailing winds are broken up mostly by northerly shifts and the resulting southerly monsoon breezes throughout the summer. The North American monsoon affects the southern United States, Mexico, west American states, and California. It is typically referred to as the monsoon desert; however, it is not technically accurate to refer to these winds as monsoons.

Monsoons in Asian regions could also be divided into a few subsystems, like the Indian subcontinent monsoon. This monsoon acts on the Indian landmass and close regions, together with Asian countries. The monsoon in the East Asian zone influences the southern parts of China, Korea, Taiwan, and parts of Japan, also called the Indo-Australian monsoon. The maritime continent monsoon and the Australian monsoon could also be thought to be identical systems, and together they are called the Indo-Australian monsoon.

The European monsoon is the result of an advance of westerly winds from the Atlantic, wherever they become loaded with wind and rain.

Effects Of Monsoons

Monsoons can impact the weather conditions that can be experienced in most of the regions within different countries. These monsoons bring some benefits. At the same time, the storms cause some major calamities. But indeed, it is a month of calm and refreshing weather. 

The annual rainfall helps agriculture production thrive in many countries. The rain recharges the dams, seas, lakes, wells, and other water sources. This rainwater can be used to generate hydroelectricity power on a large scale. The annual rain replenishes the groundwater levels, thus increasing the availability of drinking water.

However, there are a few downsides too. Summer monsoons bring heavy rainfall, which damages infrastructures crops and causes waterlogging. Due to floods and droughts, many individuals are homeless and starve for days. Dust storms cause the destruction of agriculture, which affects the economy of a nation.

In addition to that, the monsoon weather increases the moisture content in the air. This inhibits the sweat from evaporating from your body. This can make your body hot and sticky and can result in skin diseases.

FAQs

What is the monsoon season in India? 

In India, the monsoon season is also known as the season of heavy rainfall over the Indian Ocean, and it lasts from June to September.

Does monsoon mean rainy season?

Yes, monsoon means rainy season.

What are the two types of monsoons?

The two types of monsoons are southwest monsoon and northeast monsoon.

How has climate change affected the monsoons?

The change in climate has led to an increase in the amount of rainfall during the monsoon season.

Is the monsoon season beneficial to animals and plants?

Yes, the monsoon brings equal relief to both plants and animals.