Question

Define
i) Mango Showers
ii) Jet-streams.

Answer 1

Hint: Mango showers arrive generally by the end of April and May. They are very difficult to predict by the meteorological department. The jet streams shift to the north or south depending on the season.

Complete answer:
i) Mango Showers: Mango showers is the heavy rainfall which takes place in Kerala, Karnataka, Konkan and Goa. It is named so because it helps in the ripening of mangoes. These are primarily the pre-monsoon showers in India. Sometimes, these showers are generically known as 'April rains' or 'Summer showers'. They are also known as Kal Baisakhi in Bengal, as Bordoisila in Assam and as Cherry Blossom showers or Coffee Showers in Kerala. The intensity of these rains can range from light showers to heavy and persistent thunderstorms.

ii) Jet Streams: Jet streams are narrow bands of strong winds that flow over thousands of kilometres from west to east. Most of the major jet streams are found near the upper levels of the atmosphere at around 9 to 16 km from the earth’s surface, and can reach speeds of over 320 kph. The easterly jet streams in India cause tropical depressions during the monsoon as well as October-November months. In the winter season, the subtropical westerly jet streams bring rain to the western part of India.

Note: Mango showers are useful to ripe mangoes earlier but it can cause floods and destroy the crops. Jet Streams play a significant role in the onset and withdrawal of monsoon winds.The meandering or the whirl movement of the Jet Stream is called ‘Rossby Wave’.