Write a short note on temperate cyclones. How it impacts India ?

Q19. Write a short note on temperate cyclones. How it impacts India ? (20m)

A temperate cyclone, also known as an extratropical cyclone or mid-latitude cyclone, is a type of cyclonic weather system that typically forms in the mid-latitudes, away from the equator.

Characteristics of Temperate Cyclones:

Formation: Temperate cyclones form along the polar front, where warm and cold air masses meet. The contrast in temperature and pressure between these air masses fuels the development of these cyclones.
Frontal Boundaries: Unlike tropical cyclones that have well-defined centres, temperate cyclones have a frontal structure with warm and cold fronts.
Movement: Temperate cyclones generally move from west to east due to the prevailing westerly winds in the mid-latitudes.

Impact on India:

Rainfall: Temperate cyclones, particularly those originating in the Mediterranean Sea or the Atlantic Ocean, can influence India’s weather patterns, especially in the northern and northwestern regions. They often bring heavy rainfall to parts of northern India, including states like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
Winter Storms: Some temperate cyclones intensify as they move across the northern Indian subcontinent, leading to winter storms. These storms can bring heavy snowfall to the Himalayan region and disrupt transportation and daily life.
Temperature Changes: Warm air advection ahead of a cyclone’s warm front can cause a temporary rise in temperatures, followed by a drop in temperatures as a cold front passes through.
Thunderstorms: Along with rainfall, temperate cyclones can generate thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds in affected regions.
Agriculture: While the rainfall associated with temperate cyclones can benefit agriculture by replenishing soil moisture, excessive rainfall can also lead to flooding, which can damage crops and infrastructure.

While these cyclones can influence the weather in northern and northwestern India, they do not typically affect the southern and eastern parts of the country, which are more influenced by tropical weather systems, such as the Indian monsoon.

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