Monsoons

A monsoon is a big change in the wind that happens every year. Monsoon winds bring lots of rain to some parts of the world. Many places in Asia, Africa, and the Americas have monsoon seasons. The rains help crops grow but can also cause floods.

How Monsoons Work

Monsoons happen because land and ocean heat up at different rates. In summer, the land gets hot faster than the ocean. Warm air rises over the land and pulls in cool, wet air from the sea. This wet air drops heavy rain. In winter, the winds blow the other way, and the weather is dry.

Monsoons and People

Millions of people count on monsoons for rain. Farmers in India plant their crops when the monsoon arrives. The rains water rice, tea, and other important foods. But monsoons can also be dangerous. Heavy rain can cause floods that wash away homes and roads.

Fun Facts

• The word monsoon comes from an Arabic word meaning 'season'.
• India gets about 80 percent of its yearly rain during the monsoon.
• The wettest place on Earth is in India and gets its rain from monsoons.

Did You Know?

Cherrapunji in India once got over 1,000 inches of rain in a single year. That is enough water to cover a grown-up many times over.