What phenomenon is characterized by a shift in wind direction associated with seasonal changes?

• A. Trade winds
• B. Monsoon
• C. Jet stream
• D. Hurricane

Answer: (B)

The phenomenon characterized by a shift in wind direction associated with seasonal changes is the monsoon. Monsoons are primarily associated with changes in atmospheric pressure systems and are most notably experienced in regions such as South Asia. During the summer months, the land heats up significantly, creating a low-pressure area that draws in moist air from over the ocean, resulting in heavy rainfall. In contrast, during the winter months, the land cools, leading to high pressure that reverses the wind direction, typically resulting in dry conditions. This seasonal shift in wind direction, along with the accompanying changes in precipitation, is the hallmark of monsoon weather patterns.

Other choices, while significant in various weather contexts, do not specifically embody the seasonal wind direction shifts characteristic of monsoons. For example, trade winds are consistent winds that primarily travel in one direction and do not exhibit the pronounced seasonal variations associated with monsoons. The jet stream is a fast-flowing air current in the atmosphere that can influence weather patterns but is not seasonal in the same way. Hurricanes are intense storm systems that form over warm ocean waters and are not defined by seasonal wind shifts.