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A monsoon (/mɒnˈsuːn/) is traditionally a seasonal reversing wind accompanied by corresponding changes in precipitation[1] but is now used to describe seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation and precipitation associated with annual latitudinal oscillation of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) between its limits to the north and south of the equator. Usually, the term monsoon is used to refer to the rainy phase of a seasonally changing pattern, although technically there is also a dry phase. The term is also sometimes used to describe locally heavy but short-term rains.[2][3]
The major monsoon systems of the world consist of the West African, Asian–Australian, the North American, and South American monsoons.
The term was first used in English in British India and neighboring countries to refer to the big seasonal winds blowing from the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea in the southwest bringing heavy rainfall to the area.[4][5]
- ^ Ramage, C. (1971). Monsoon Meteorology. International Geophysics Series. Vol. 15. San Diego, CA: Academic Press.
- ^ "Welcome to Monsoon Season – Why You Probably Are Using This Term Wrong". 29 June 2016. Archived from the original on 30 June 2016.
- ^ "Definition of Monsoon". 28 July 2016. Archived from the original on 19 July 2016.
- ^ Glossary of Meteorology (June 2000). "Monsoon". American Meteorological Society. Archived from the original on 2008-03-22. Retrieved 2008-03-14.
- ^ International Committee of the Third Workshop on Monsoons. The Global Monsoon System: Research and Forecast. Archived 2008-04-08 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2008-03-16.