ESS200A
Prof. Jin-Yi Yu
Monsoon:
Sea/Land-Related Circulation
q Monsoon (Arabic “season”)
q Monsoon is a climate feature
that is characterized by the seasonal
reversal in surface winds.
q The very different heat capacity
of land and ocean surface is the key
mechanism that produces monsoons.
q During summer seasons, land
surface heats up faster than the
ocean. Low pressure center is
established over land while high pressure
center is established over oceans. Winds
blow from ocean to land and bring large amounts of water vapor to produce heavy precipitation over land: A rainy season.
q During winters, land surface
cools down fast and sets up a
high pressure center. Winds blow from land to ocean: a dry season.
Courtesy of
Kevin G. Cannariato