monsoon

Table of Contents

Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics

Images

Map of climatic heat sources and heat sinks for Asian summer and winter monsoons.

Wind and rainfall patterns of the Australian monsoon.

Average withdrawal date of the summer monsoon across South Asia.

monsoon

meteorology

Written by T.N. Krishnamurti

Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated: Jan 20, 2025 • Article History

Related Topics:: Indian monsoon; West African monsoon; Malaysian-Australian monsoon; North American monsoon; break of the monsoon

See all related content

News •

Wet season weather: What's behind the late arrival of the NT's monsoon rain? • Jan. 17, 2025, 6:39 AM ET (ABC News (Australia))

Non-stop heavy downpours to resume from Jan 17 to 19 as second monsoon surge descends • Jan. 16, 2025, 6:42 AM ET (Straits Times)

Volunteers clean up Bali’s beach from ‘worst’ monsoon-driven trash • Jan. 4, 2025, 12:15 AM ET (South China Morning Post)

monsoon, a major wind system that seasonally reverses its direction—such as one that blows for approximately six months from the northeast and six months from the southwest. The most prominent monsoons occur in South Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Pacific coast of Central America. Monsoonal tendencies also are apparent along the Gulf Coast of the United States and in central Europe; however, true monsoons do not occur in those regions. For further information on prominent monsoon regions, see Indian monsoon, West African monsoon, Malaysian-Australian monsoon, and North American monsoon. The primary cause of monsoons lies in different warming trends over ...(100 of 517 words)

Access the full article

Help support true facts by becoming a member.