Weather & Climate MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Weather & Climate - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is Monsoon trough

Key Points

• In India, during October-November, with the apparent movement of the sun towards the south, the Monsoon trough over the northern plains becomes weaker.
• The monsoon trough is a low-pressure system that develops over the northern plains of India during the summer monsoon season, which typically lasts from June to September.
• It is associated with the seasonal shift of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and the movement of the sun towards the south.

Additional Information

• Upper-level trough 
  • An upper-level trough refers to a region of relatively low atmospheric pressure in the upper levels of the atmosphere.
  • It is not specifically associated with the movement of the sun or the monsoon season in India.
• Lee trough -
  • A lee trough is a pressure trough that forms on the leeward side of a mountain range.
  • It is not directly related to the movement of the sun or the monsoon season in India.
• Inverted trough
  • An inverted trough is a meteorological term that describes a region of relatively low atmospheric pressure that extends vertically into the atmosphere.
  • It is not specifically associated with the movement of the sun or the monsoon season in India.

An equinox is an event in which a planet’s subsolar point passes through its Equator. The equinoxes are the only time when both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres experience roughly equal amounts of daytime and nighttime.

• There are two equinoxes every year: one around March 21 and another around September 22.
• Sometimes, the equinoxes are nicknamed the “vernal equinox” (spring equinox) and the “autumnal equinox” (fall equinox)
• During the equinoxes, solar declination is 0°. Solar declination describes the latitude of the Earth where the sun is directly overhead at noon. 
• The subsolar point is an area where the sun's rays shine perpendicular to the Earth's surface at a right angle.

​

• Only during equinox is the Earth's 23.5° axis not tilting toward or away from the sun, the perceived centre of the Sun’s disk is in the same plane as the Equator. 

Therefore, Equinox falls on 21st March and 23rd September.

Key Points

• Willy-Willies are tropical cyclones that occur in the Northern regions of Australia.
• They are most commonly observed during the summer months in Australia.
• These cyclones are characterized by strong winds, heavy rainfall, and the potential for flooding.
• Willy-Willies can cause significant damage to infrastructure and vegetation in affected areas.

Important Points

• The term “Willy-Willies” is unique to Australia and is used to describe cyclones in that region.
• Similar phenomena in other parts of the world are called hurricanes (in the Atlantic) or typhoons (in the Pacific).

Additional Information

• China: China experiences typhoons due to its location along the Pacific Ocean. Typhoons are equivalent to hurricanes or cyclones in other parts of the world but are not called Willy-Willies.
• India: India is prone to cyclones, particularly along its eastern coast. Cyclones such as the ones originating in the Bay of Bengal or the Arabian Sea impact the country.
• West Africa: West Africa is known for its tropical storms and hurricanes, particularly those that originate in the Atlantic Ocean. These storms can sometimes travel across the ocean and impact other regions like North America.

The Correct Answer is Monsoon climate only.

Key Points

• Monsoon type of climate:
  • It is best developed in the Indian subcontinent, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, parts of Vietnam, south china, and northern Australia.
  • This type of climate is characterized by the onshore wet monsoon in summer and offshore dry monsoon in winter.
  • The basic cause of monsoon climates is the difference in the rate of heating and cooling of land and sea.
  • Monsoon refers to the seasonal reversal in the wind direction during a year. 
  • The monsoon type of climate is characterized by a distinct seasonal pattern.

Additional Information

• Equatorial type of climate:
  • Equatorial type of climate is found in the Amazon basin in South America, the Congo basin in Africa, the Guinea coast in Africa, and much of the Indo-Malaysian region, eastern Central America, some islands in the Caribbean Sea, western Colombia, and eastern Madagascar.
  • This type of climate is located from 5 degrees to 10 degrees on either side of the equator.
• Warm Temperate Western Margin Climate:
  • It is also called a Mediterranean type of climate because most of the areas falling under this climate are situated around the Mediterranean Sea.
  • This climate has developed between 300C and 450C latitudes in both the hemispheres in the western part of the continents.

The correct answer is Central and Western Asia.Key Points

• Central and Western Asia is known for the formation of a high-pressure area during winters, which causes cold and dry winds to blow towards India.
• These winds are known as the northwestern winds or the 'winter monsoon,' and they bring in cold and dry air, resulting in a decrease in temperature over the Indian subcontinent.
• The high-pressure area over Central and Western Asia is caused due to the cooling of the landmass during winters.
• As the land cools down, the air above it also cools down and becomes denser, leading to the formation of high pressure.

Additional Information

• Antarctica is located at the southernmost part of the Earth and has little or no influence on the weather conditions over India in winter.
• Since they don't usually deliver significant weather, winter monsoons are less well-known.
  • But they also blow a lot of dry air from the interior of a continent, which can cause crop failure, drought, and water shortages. 
  • The northeast rains, also known as the winter monsoon, are important in Tamil Nadu, the Andhra Pradesh coast, Kerala, the north of Karnataka, and Lakshadweep.

The correct answer is January 3.

• The earth is closest to the sun on January 3.
• The point that is nearest to the sun is called perihelion.

Key Points

• The point that is farthest to the sun is called aphelion.
• Approx. an elliptical orbit is occupied by all planets, asteroids, and comets in our solar system.
• The flatness of the orbit is measured by the orbital eccentricity.
• On January 3, the earth comes closest to the sun every year.
• In the northern hemisphere, it is winter, when the earth is closest to the sun.
• At that time it is summer in the southern hemisphere.
• Aphelion occurs on July 4.

The correct answer is Magha and Phalguna.Key Points

• In the Hindu calendar, Shishir is Ritu or a season related to winter and cold.
• It is the month of Magha and Phalguna or mid-January to mid-March in the calendar year.
• The twelve months in a year are divided into six seasons of two-month duration each. These seasons include Vasant Ritu (Spring), Grishma Ritu (Summer), Varsha Ritu (Monsoon), Sharad Ritu (Autumn), Hemant Ritu (Pre-Winter), and Shishir Ritu (Winter).

Thus, In the Indian tradition, the 'Shishir' season belongs to Magha and Phalguna according to the Indian calendar.

Additional Information

• Aasdha: In India's national civil calendar, this month is the fourth month of the year, beginning on 22 June and ending on 22 July. In Vedic Jyotish, Āsāṛh begins with the Sun's entry into Gemini. It is the first of the two months that comprise the monsoon season.
• Jyēṣṭha is associated with high summer and corresponds to May–June in the Gregorian calendar. In Tamil, the month is known as Aani, the third month of the solar calendar that begins in mid-June. In Vedic Jyotish, Jyēṣṭha begins with the Sun's entry into Taurus and is the second month of the year.
• Ashvina: It is the sixth month of the solar Bengali calendar and the seventh of the lunar Indian calendar of the Deccan Plateau. It falls in the season of Shôrot (Hindi Sharad), or Autumn. In Vedic Jyotish, Ashwin begins with the Sun's entry into Virgo

The correct answer is Troposphere.

Key Points

• Troposphere
  • The troposphere is the lowest layer of the Earth's atmosphere.
  • The air is very well mixed and the temperature decreases with altitude.
  • The air in the troposphere is heated from the ground up.
  • The surface of the Earth absorbs energy and heats up faster than the air does.

Additional Information

• The different layers of the atmosphere are listed below:
  • Exosphere
    • This is the upper limit of our atmosphere.
    • It extends from the top of the thermosphere up to 10,000 km (6,200 mi).
  • Thermosphere
    • It starts just above the mesosphere and extends to 600 kilometres (372 miles) high.
    • Aurora and satellites occur in this layer.
  • Mesosphere
    • It starts just above the stratosphere and extends to 85 kilometres (53 miles) high.
    • Meteors burn up in this layer.
  • Stratosphere
    • It starts just above the troposphere and extends to 50 kilometres (31 miles) high.
    • The ozone layer, which absorbs and scatters the solar ultraviolet radiation, is in this layer.
  • Ionosphere
    • It is an abundant layer of electrons and ionized atoms and molecules that stretches from about 48 kilometres.
    • It is a critical link in the chain of Sun-Earth interactions.
    • This region is what makes radio communications possible.

The correct answer is Monsoon trough

Key Points

• In India, during October-November, with the apparent movement of the sun towards the south, the Monsoon trough over the northern plains becomes weaker.
• The monsoon trough is a low-pressure system that develops over the northern plains of India during the summer monsoon season, which typically lasts from June to September.
• It is associated with the seasonal shift of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and the movement of the sun towards the south.

Additional Information

• Upper-level trough 
  • An upper-level trough refers to a region of relatively low atmospheric pressure in the upper levels of the atmosphere.
  • It is not specifically associated with the movement of the sun or the monsoon season in India.
• Lee trough -
  • A lee trough is a pressure trough that forms on the leeward side of a mountain range.
  • It is not directly related to the movement of the sun or the monsoon season in India.
• Inverted trough
  • An inverted trough is a meteorological term that describes a region of relatively low atmospheric pressure that extends vertically into the atmosphere.
  • It is not specifically associated with the movement of the sun or the monsoon season in India.

The correct answer is Neither I nor II.

Key Points

• Punjab:
  • Punjab is located in India's north-western region.
  • Extreme heat and extreme cold are what shape the climate in Punjab.
  • Heavy rainfall falls in the area close to the Himalayan foothills.
  • The area, which is far from the hills, has high temperatures and little rainfall.
  • Punjab is characterised by Bwhw (Semi-arid steppe climate) type of climate.

Hence I is correct.

• Coromandel coast of Tamil Nadu:
  • The Bay of Bengal branch of the southwest monsoon runs parallel to the coast of Tamil Nadu.
  • It is located in the Arabian Sea branch of the southwest monsoon rainshadow.
  • The Coromandel coast of Tamil Nadu is characterised by As (Monsoon with dry summer) type of climate.

Hence II is correct.

Additional Information

• India experiences monsoon-like weather.
• Since the majority of the nation is located within the tropics, the entire nation experiences tropical monsoon weather.
• Additionally, the south-west and north-east monsoons have an impact on the climate.
• The two main elements that affect India's climate are the location of mountain ranges and the direction of winds that bring rain. 
• The primary defining trait of Indian climate is the alternation of seasons.
• The highest rainfall in the world is recorded in Meghalaya, India, at a site named Mawsynram. 
• Jaisalmer, in Rajasthan, may experience a year without any rain at all.

The correct answer is Option 2. 

Key Points

• The longitudinal waves, also known as compressional waves or primary waves, are represented by the letter "P."
• P waves are the fastest seismic waves and can travel through solid, liquid, and gas.
• They cause particles to move in the same direction as the wave propagation, creating a push-pull motion.

​Additional Information

•  P waves (Primary waves):
  • Also known as compressional waves.
  • Longitudinal waves that travel through the Earth's interior.
  • They cause particles to compress and expand in the same direction as the wave travels.
  • Can travel through solid, liquid, and gas.
  • Fastest seismic waves.
  • First waves to be recorded by seismographs.
• S waves (Secondary waves):
  • Also known as shear waves.
  • Transverse waves that travel through the Earth's interior.
  • They cause particles to move perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation.
  • Can only travel through solids.
  • Slower than P waves.
  • Second waves to be recorded by seismographs.
• L waves (Love waves):
  • Surface waves that travel along the Earth's surface.
  • Named after A.E.H. Love, who mathematically described their behavior.
  • They cause particles to move in a horizontal, side-to-side motion.
  • Slower than P and S waves.
  • Responsible for the most significant damage during an earthquake.
• N waves (Rayleigh waves):
  • Surface waves that travel along the Earth's surface.
  • Named after Lord Rayleigh, who mathematically described their behavior.
  • They cause particles to move in an elliptical motion, with both vertical and horizontal components.
  • Slower than P and S waves.
  • Can cause vertical ground displacement and rolling motion.

The correct answer is Isohyet.

• An isohyet line is a line joining points of equal rainfall on a map in a given period. A map with isohyets is called an isohyetal map.

Additional Information

• Isobar is a line on a map connecting points having the same atmospheric pressure at a given time or on average over a given period.
• Isotherm, a line is drawn on a map or chart joining points with the same temperature. Isotherms are commonly used in meteorology to show the distribution of temperature at the Earth’s surface or on a chart indicating constant level or constant pressure.
• Isotherm is also used to show the time variation of temperature with height in the atmosphere or with depth in soil or water and the characteristics of heat flow into the soil.
• Isohaline is a line or surface drawn on a map or chart to indicate connecting points of equal salinity in the ocean.
• Isohaline position refers to the distance (kilometers) of a near-bottom isohaline from the mouth of a coastal waterway.

The correct answer is Option 1. 

Key Points

• Jet streams are narrow bands of strong high-altitude winds that flow in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere, typically between 9 to 16 kilometers (5.5 to 10 miles) above the Earth's surface.
• They are characterized by high wind speeds, often exceeding 100 kilometers per hour (60 miles per hour), and have a significant impact on weather patterns.
• The jet streams are predominantly westerly winds, meaning they flow from west to east.
• They are caused by the temperature contrast between the polar regions and the equator.
• The temperature difference creates a pressure gradient, and the Coriolis effect further influences the wind patterns, leading to the formation of jet streams.
• The speed of jet streams can vary depending on the season and location.

Additional Information 

• Whirlwind:
  • A whirlwind is a weather phenomenon characterized by a rotating column of air.
  • Whirlwinds can occur at various scales, from small tornado-like vortices to larger dust devils. 
• Derecho:
  • A derecho is a widespread and long-lived severe weather event characterized by a straight-line windstorm.
  • It typically forms along the leading edge of a rapidly moving thunderstorm complex, known as a squall line
• Hurricane:
  • A hurricane is a large tropical cyclone with organized thunderstorms and sustained winds of at least 119 km/h (74 mph).
  • Hurricanes form over warm ocean waters and are characterized by a well-defined eye at the center, surrounded by a rotating system of rainbands. 

The correct answer is the Warm Temperate zone.

Key Points

• Mediterranean sea shrubs are found in warm temperate regions lying between 30° and 40° north and south latitudes.
• Mediterranean vegetation is scrubby, dense vegetation composed of broad-leaved evergreen shrubs, bushes, and small trees usually less than 2.5 m (about 8 feet). 
• These regions have a climate that can be characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.

Additional Information

• Different climate zones and their basic information: 
  • Equitorial Region: A tropical rainforest climate or equatorial climate is a tropical climate usually found within 10 to 15 degrees latitude around the equator, and has at least 60 millimeters (2.4 in) of rainfall every month of the year. Normally tropical rainforests consist of evergreen trees that yield tropical hardwood, e.g. mahogany, ebony, greenheart, cabinet woods, and dyewoods.
  • Temperate zone: These regions lie between 30° and 60° latitude and the solar radiation arrives in this region at a smaller angle. The average temperatures here are much cooler than in the subtropics. The climate is characterized by less frequent extremes, more regular distribution of the precipitation over the year, and a longer vegetation period - therefore the name temperate.
  • Cold zone: These regions lie between 60° to 90° latitude. Also known as the polar areas, these areas receive less heat through solar radiation, since the Sun has a very flat angle toward the ground. Vegetation is only possible during a few months per year and even then is often sparse. The conditions for life in these regions are very hard.

The correct answer is The Mediterranean.Key Points

• The Western cyclonic disturbance is a weather phenomenon that occurs in the Indian subcontinent and is responsible for the winter rainfall in the region.
• It is known to originate over the Mediterranean Sea, where it gathers moisture and travels towards the Indian subcontinent.
• The Mediterranean Sea is a large body of water located between Europe, Asia, and Africa.
  • It is known for its warm and humid climate, which makes it a favorable environment for the formation of cyclones.
• The Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal are also known for their cyclonic activity, but they are not the origin points for the Western cyclonic disturbance.

Additional Information

• The Arabian Sea is a part of the Indian Ocean, located between the Arabian Peninsula and the Indian subcontinent.
  • It is known for its high sea surface temperatures and is a breeding ground for cyclones.
• The Bay of Bengal is another large body of water located in the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean, bounded by India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.
  • ​It is known for its frequent cyclonic activity, which is responsible for the monsoon rains in the region.
• The Pacific Ocean is the largest body of water on Earth, covering one-third of its surface area.
  • It is known for its typhoons and hurricanes, which are responsible for a significant amount of damage and loss of life in the Pacific Rim countries.