A monsoon is a seasonal change in the direction of the prevailing wind. This wind shift typically brings about a marked change in local weather. It almost always refers to the Asian monsoon, a large region extending from India to Southeast Asia where monsoon conditions prevail.

The ITCZ shifts northwards as the sun is overhead at the Tropic of Cancer. Insolation over Northern India increases, causing air to rise and creating low pressure. Equatorial maritime (Em) and Tropical maritime (Am) air is drawn north and diverted northeast due to the Coriolis force. The humid unstable air results in rainfall. Amounts are increased as air is forced aloft over the Himalayas and Western Ghats. The rainfall is vital for the cultivation of rice.

Low temperatures over central Asia create areas of high pressure, at the same time, the sub-tropical jet and ITCZ shift south. Air moving out from the area of high pressure is very dry and becomes drier as it crosses over the Himalayas, causing clear skies and sunny weather over most of India from November to May.

Monsoon winds are caused when the Sun heats the atmosphere. It is a shift in wind that occurs due to a change in local weather. Simply speaking, when, there are differences in temperatures between the oceans and the continents, monsoon winds occur.

In areas such as Southern Asia, winds blow from land to ocean most of the year, making the climate dry. However, during certain months of the year, the winds begin to blow from the ocean to the land making the air moist. This moist ocean air is what causes the monsoon rains over many countries.

Many parts of the world experience monsoons to some extent. Probably the most famous are the Asian monsoons, which affect India, China, Japan, and Southeast Asia. Monsoons also impact portions of central Africa, where their rain is critical to supporting life in the area south of the Sahara Desert.

The South-West monsoon becomes a weak current and withdraws from Punjab by mid-September. It leaves the Ganga delta by late October. By early November, it leaves the southern part of the peninsula. These particular months from September to November are termed as the period of 'retreating monsoon'. During this time, the days are hot, nights are cool and the daily range of temperature is high.

Intensification of the low-pressure condition over the northern plains.This attracts the trade winds of the southern hemisphere, which start over the southern oceans. These winds enter the Indian peninsula, moving in south-westerly direction, thus bringing abundant moisture. These are strong winds and blow at about 30 kmph.

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