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Monsoon Facts

Monsoon Facts
A monsoon, which is a large sea breeze, occurs when the wind blows from the cooler ocean to the much warmer land mass. This seasonal weather pattern is a result of changes in the circulation of the atmosphere and the rain resulting from the warming of both the land and the sea. Although most people associate monsoons with rain, they can also include dry phases as well. The Asia-Australian and the West African monsoons are the major monsoon systems, while there are also North- and South-American monsoons. Depending on the location, a monsoon may not cause much change at all in the weather, while in some cases it can turn a desert into lush, green grassland. Monsoon does not mean rain, even though many people believe this is what it means. It is simply strong breezes that blow from cold to hot environments.
Interesting Monsoon Facts:
It is estimated that there are approximately 500,000 lightning strikes during a monsoon.
The word monsoon is believed to be derived from the Arabic word ‘mausim'. Mausim means a shift in wind or season.
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.
India experiences the most dramatic monsoons in the world.
In Europe they call the monsoon system they experience the ‘Return of the Westerlies'.
A monsoon storm can range from a violent thunderstorm to only small dust storms.
Monsoon season officially ends on September 30th each year.
In India, during monsoon season, it is common to see a mouse on the back of frog. They do this to escape the floodwaters.
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.
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.
Arizona receives 32% of its total yearly rainfall during the monsoon.
In Arizona, during the monsoon, it is not uncommon to see a wall of dust that reaches hundreds of feet in the air.
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.
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.
In India they have insurance for farmers to cover uncertain weather.
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.
The 2005 monsoon in India was so strong that more than 1,100 people were killed.
A monsoon always blows from a cold region to a warm region.


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