Understanding Western Disturbances: Origin and Characteristics
Western disturbances are meteorological phenomena that play a significant role in shaping weather patterns in certain regions, particularly in northwest India. These disturbances are labeled as extra-tropical storms due to their region of origin. Origins and Travel Patterns Originating primarily in the Mediterranean Sea or the Caspian Sea, these disturbances are essentially low-pressure areas that travel eastwards, affecting various regions along their path. They owe their name to the fact that they move from west to east, carried by high-altitude westerly jet streams. These jet streams are powerful bands of fast-moving winds that stretch across the Earth's atmosphere, playing a crucial role in transporting these disturbances across long distances. Nature of Disturbance The term "disturbance" in "Western Disturbance" signifies an area of disrupted or reduced air pressure. In nature, there exists a constant push for equilibrium, causing air in a region to try