WESTERN DISTURBANCES            

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Context

• Western Disturbances come to India, bringing rainfall to north and central parts of the country.

Western disturbances explained

• A western disturbance is an extratropical storm originating in the Mediterranean region that brings sudden winter rain to the northern parts of the Indian subcontinent.
• It is a non-monsoonal precipitation pattern driven by the westerlies.
• The moisture in these storms usually originates over the Mediterranean Sea, the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea.
• Extratropical storms are a global phenomena with moisture usually carried in the upper atmosphere, unlike their tropical counterparts where the moisture is carried in the lower atmosphere.
• Western disturbances are more frequent and stronger in the winter season.
• Western disturbances are important for the development of the Rabi crop , which includes the locally important staple wheat.
• Western disturbances are usually associated with cloudy sky, higher night temperatures and unusual rain.
• Excessive precipitation due to western disturbances can cause crop damage, landslides, floods and avalanches.
• Over the Indo-Gangetic plains, they occasionally bring cold wave conditions and dense fog.

https://www.firstpost.com/india/explained-western-disturbances-come-to-india-bringing-rainfall-to-north-and-central-parts-of-the-country-10259691.html