The north-west region of India receives rainfall in winter due to:

Key Points

• Western disturbances are responsible for the rainfall in the north-west region of India during winter.
• These are extratropical storms originating in the Mediterranean region that bring sudden winter rain and snow to the north-western parts of the Indian subcontinent.
• Western disturbances are crucial for the Rabi crop season in India, particularly for wheat cultivation.
• They generally affect the weather pattern of the region from December to February.

Additional Information

• Western disturbances typically move from west to east, crossing Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan before entering India.
• The term 'western disturbance' was coined by Indian meteorologists to describe the phenomenon.
• These disturbances are more frequent and stronger during La Niña years.
• Besides causing rainfall, they are also associated with cold waves and foggy conditions in northern India.
• The intensity and frequency of western disturbances can vary each year, influencing the overall winter precipitation in the region.