Summer Monsoon Jet Stream Dynamics
The summer monsoon over the Indian subcontinent is significantly influenced by a specific jet stream.
Identifying the Monsoon Jet Stream
During the summer months, the intense heating of the Tibetan Plateau creates a unique atmospheric condition. This leads to the formation of the Tropical Easterly Jet (TEJ).
- The TEJ forms in the upper troposphere, roughly between 12°N and 15°N latitude.
- It flows from east to west over the Indian peninsula.
- This jet stream plays a crucial role in driving the Indian summer monsoon by influencing the cross-equatorial flow of moist winds from the Indian Ocean towards the subcontinent.
Analyzing Jet Stream Options
- Tropical Easterly Jet: Correctly positioned and oriented to influence the Indian summer monsoon.
- Subtropical Easterly Jet: While easterly, it typically forms over lower latitudes and its primary influence differs from the TEJ during the monsoon.
- Subtropical Westerly Jet: This jet stream is dominant during the winter season over India, associated with western disturbances, not the summer monsoon.
- Tropical Westerly Jet: This type of jet stream is not the primary driver of the Indian summer monsoon.
Therefore, the Tropical Easterly Jet is the jet stream prevalent over the Indian subcontinent during the summer monsoon season.
Important Questions from Indian Monsoon and Severe Weather
- Which one of the following statements about Western disturbances is FALSE?
- Choose the FALSE statement amongst the following:
Choose the correct combination of the physical properties (A, B, C and D) that are TRUE for the Indian summer monsoon system.
A – deep, B – moist, C – barotropic, D – baroclinic
Choose the correct combination of the following statements (A, B, C and D) that is TRUE for the Indian Northeast monsoon.
A. Northeast India gets maximum rainfall.
B. The winds are north-easterlies over Bay-of- Bengal.
C. Maximum number of tropical depressions, storms and cyclones are formed over Arabian Sea.
D. ITCZ is located south of $20^\circ\text{N}$
- During a break-monsoon condition in summer, the monsoon trough moves
