Mains Daily Question
March 19, 2024

Q2. Explain the impact of various jet streams on the the Indian Monsoon.(10M, 150W)

Model Answer

Approach to the answer 

Introduction: We can introduce the question by defining jet streams and how they play an important role in Indian monsoon.  

Body: We need to discuss the different types of jet streams and  explain the impact of different jet streams on the Indian Monsoon. 

Conclusion: Conclude the answer by explaining the impact of climate change on the jet streams and also how it is affecting the Indian climate. 

 

Answer: Jet streams are fast flowing, narrow air currents found in the atmosphere.  Jet streams play an important role in controlling global weather patterns, as they can transport energy and moisture from one place to another. 

 

Additional information: You can use in your answer


Impact of Jet Streams on the climatic conditions: 

  • Jet streams are important in determining the path of storm systems. They help to move warm and cold air masses around the Earth's atmosphere.  
  • Jet streams can cause extreme weather events, such as heat waves and cold snaps.  
  • Jet streams can influence the rate of precipitation, causing heavy rain or drought, depending on their direction.  
  • Jet streams can also affect global climate change by increasing the amount of heat in the atmosphere and by influencing ocean currents. 

Various types of jet streams: 

Subtropical jet streams:

  • Subtropical jet streams are fast-flowing, narrow air currents found in the atmosphere of the Earth around 30 degrees latitude in both hemispheres.
  • They are semi-permanent and are located near the boundaries of the tropics and subtropics.
  • The jet streams are strongest during the summer months in each hemisphere and are weakest during the winter.
  • They are responsible for the formation of many of the world's weather systems, including cyclones, monsoons, and other large-scale weather patterns.  

  

Easterly jet stream:

  • The easterly jet stream over India is a large, relatively fast-moving current of air that moves from east to west in the upper atmosphere.
  • It is part of the atmospheric circulation system that carries warm, humid air from the Indian Ocean region into India.
  • This jet stream helps to bring monsoon rains to the region.
  • It can also bring stormy weather, and can have an effect on temperatures, as it can bring cooler air from the north

Somali jet stream:

  • The Somali Jet Stream is a strong, steady wind that blows from the Gulf of Aden in the northeast direction across Somalia and the Horn of Africa.
  • The Jet Stream was discovered in the early 1990s and is believed to be a result of strong pressure systems that form over the Arabian Sea, Red Sea, and Gulf of Aden.
  • The Somali Jet Stream is an important weather formation in the region, as it often brings moisture from the Arabian Sea to the Horn of Africa, providing much needed rainfall. 

 

Role of easterly jet stream in the Indian Monsoon: 

  • The easterly jet stream is one of the most important meteorological phenomena that influences the Indian monsoon. It is a narrow band of high-speed winds located near the equator.  
  • The jet stream originates in the Bay of Bengal and flows across India towards the Arabian Sea.  This flow of air brings with it large amounts of moisture, which is then released as rain over the Indian subcontinent.  
  • The jet stream is an important factor in the formation of the monsoon, as it helps to create an area of low pressure over the Indian subcontinent. This low pressure draws in moist air from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, resulting in increased precipitation in the region.  
  • The jet stream is also responsible for the direction and speed of the monsoon winds, which helps to bring rains to different regions of India. 

 

 

Role of Somali jet stream in Indian Monsoon: 

  • The Somali Jet Stream is a major atmospheric circulation feature that plays an important role in the formation and distribution of the Indian monsoon. The Somali Jet Stream is a semi-permanent westerly wind that originates over the Arabian Sea and moves eastward across India.  
  • As the jet stream moves eastward, it carries warm, moist air from the Indian Ocean, which increases the amount of moisture in the atmosphere over India. The increased moisture results in more precipitation, which is essential for the development of the Indian monsoon.  
  • The Somali Jet Stream also helps to create the low-pressure system that is necessary for the monsoon to form.  
  • In addition to this, the Somali Jet Stream helps to distribute monsoonal rainfall across India, allowing the monsoon to be experienced in many different parts of the country. 

 

Climate change is causing the jet streams to become more erratic and intense. As the planet warms, the atmosphere is becoming more unstable, leading to a faster and more intense jet stream. This can lead to extreme weather events, such as more frequent and intense storms and floods, as well as more extreme droughts. In addition, the jet streams can cause shifts in weather patterns, leading to more frequent and intense heat waves and cold snaps in different regions. 

Subjects : Geography
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