About Western Disturbances:
- They are extratropical storm systems that form over the Mediterranean Sea and travel eastwards towards the Indian subcontinent.
- They carry moisture-laden air and interact with the subtropical jet stream, influencing weather conditions over vast regions, including parts of Pakistan, India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
- Western Disturbances primarily affect India during the winter months, from November to March.
- They bring crucial rainfall and snowfall, vital for the Rabi crop season, especially in northwestern India, including Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi.
Why is it named Western Disturbances?
- Western Disturbances are named so because of their origin and movement patterns.
- These weather systems originate from the western regions of the Earth, specifically from the Mediterranean region.
- As they form over the Mediterranean Sea and adjacent areas, they are referred to as Western Disturbances.
- The term “disturbance” indicates the disruptive nature of these weather systems as they travel eastwards from their origin towards the Indian subcontinent and beyond.
- While they are called Western Disturbances in India, similar weather phenomena may be referred to by different names in other regions of the world, depending on their origin and impact.
