What are the chief reason for rainfall in winter in North India?

Correct option is A

S1. Ans. (a) Western disturbances

Sol. The correct answer is (a) Western disturbances. Western disturbances are the primary cause of winter rainfall in North India. These disturbances are low-pressure systems that originate in the Mediterranean region and move eastward, bringing moisture-laden winds. When they collide with the Himalayan mountain range, the moisture precipitates, causing rainfall, especially in the northwestern regions of India, including Punjab, Haryana, and Jammu & Kashmir, during the winter months.

Information Booster

1. Western disturbances cause rainfall and snowfall in the winter season in North India.
2. These disturbances are mainly responsible for the winter crop irrigation in the region.
3. They bring relatively mild temperatures, especially in the plains, during the cold season.
4. Western disturbances contribute significantly to the winter rains in areas like Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir.
5. These systems also lead to foggy weather conditions in the northern plains.
6. Western disturbances are a key meteorological phenomenon that differentiates the winter season from the monsoon season.

Additional Information

• (b) South East Monsoon occurs in the summer months and is responsible for the main rainy season in India, not in winter.
• (c) Returning Monsoon occurs in the autumn season and is not a major factor for winter rainfall.
• (d) None of these is incorrect as Western disturbances are the main cause of winter rainfall.

Source: Meteorology of India, seasonal weather patterns.