Dust winds in North India

Dust-laden winds are pushing the air quality into the poor category and increasing the concentration of coarse particles in the air.

Context

Dust-laden winds are pushing the air quality into the poor category and increasing the concentration of coarse particles in the air.

Strong winds which are carrying dust to Delhi are coming from Rajasthan.
A cyclonic circulation over Rajasthan and the high temperatures due to heatwave over the past few days in northwest India are contributing to the dust winds

Reason:These are the swirling motion of winds that are caused by a low-pressure area.
Cyclonic circulation normally pulls in warm moist air resulting in cloudiness which may result in rainfall.
Direction: In northern hemisphere, the cyclonic circulation rotates in a counter clock wise direction and in southern hemisphere it rotates in a clockwise direction.

The World Meteorological Organization, defines a heat wave as 5 or more consecutive days of prolonged heat in which the daily maximum temperature is higher than the average maximum temperature by 5 °C (9 °F) or more.
- A heatwave is a period of excessively hot weather accompanied by high humidity.
- This is common in both Northern and Southern Hemispheres in summer as the jet stream goes with the sun.
Suitable condition: Heat waves form with strengthening high pressure and remain for around several days up to several weeks.
Change in Temperature: Heatwave is considered to occur if the maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40°C or more for Plains and at least 30°C or more for Hilly regions.
- Normal Heat Wave: Departure from normal is 4.50°C to 6.40°C
- Severe Heat Wave: Departure from normal is more than 6.40 degree C