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Difficulty: MediumClimate, Weather Systems, and Monsoon of India

Which of the following statements regarding the atmospheric circulation and weather systems of India are correct?

  1. The shift of the monsoon trough toward the Himalayan foothills causes a temporary cessation of rainfall known as a 'break' over the northern plains of India.Answer
  2. Western Disturbances that bring crucial winter precipitation to north-western India are steered into the subcontinent by the Sub-Tropical Westerly Jet Stream.Answer
  3. C
    The Sub-Tropical Westerly Jet Stream remains permanently anchored south of the Himalayas over the Indo-Gangetic Plain throughout the peak summer monsoon season.
  4. D
    The retreat or withdrawal phase of the South-West Monsoon starts from southern India and gradually moves northward towards Rajasthan.

Answer

The correct statements are that the shift of the monsoon trough toward the Himalayan foothills causes a break in rainfall over the northern plains, and that Western Disturbances are carried into north-western India by the Sub-Tropical Westerly Jet Stream.
The statements confirming that the northward shift of the monsoon trough causes a monsoon 'break' over the northern plains and that the Sub-Tropical Westerly Jet Stream steers Western Disturbances into India during winter are both meteorologically accurate.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze statement on monsoon break mechanisms
Shift of the low-pressure monsoon trough to the Himalayan foothills reduces rain over the plains and increases rain over the mountains, which constitutes a classic monsoon 'break'.
Topographic and pressure variations govern the position of the monsoon trough.
2
Analyze upper-air circulation during winter (Western Disturbances)
The Sub-Tropical Westerly Jet Stream situated south of the Himalayas during winter transports extra-tropical weather systems (Western Disturbances) from the Mediterranean into India.
Upper-level westerly winds control winter weather patterns over northern India.
3
Evaluate jet stream seasonal movements and monsoon withdrawal spatial sequence
The Sub-Tropical Westerly Jet shifts north of the Himalayas during summer rather than remaining anchored south, and monsoon withdrawal starts in North-West India (Rajasthan), not South India.
Thermal heating of Tibet shifts jet streams northward in summer, while solar retreat initiates land cooling and monsoon withdrawal from the north-west.

Key Concept

Atmospheric Drivers of Indian Monsoon and Seasonal Weather Systems
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Topics

Climate, Weather Systems, and Monsoon of India

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