Local Winds

1. Chinook is

Chinook is

A very warm and dry wind on the eastern slopes of the Rockies
A violent and extremely cold wind of the Tundras
An extremely cold wind in central Siberia
A dry and dusty wind off the west coast of Africa blowing from the deserts
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2017
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Chinook is a type of foehn wind, which is a warm, dry, downslope wind that occurs on the leeward side (sheltered side) of a mountain range. The Chinook is specifically associated with the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains in North America. As moist air rises over the western slopes, it cools, condenses, and releases precipitation. On the eastern slopes, the air descends, warms adiabatically (due to compression), and becomes drier. This warm, dry wind can cause rapid temperature increases.
– Chinook is a warm, dry wind.
– It occurs on the leeward side of mountain ranges, specifically the eastern slopes of the Rockies.
– It is a type of foehn wind.
Foehn winds occur in many parts of the world, such as the Alps (where they are called Foehn), the Andes (Zonda), and others. The Chinook in North America is famous for causing dramatic temperature rises and rapid snowmelt, earning it the nickname “snow eater.”

2. Which one among the following local winds is not characteristically ho

Which one among the following local winds is not characteristically hot and dry ?

Sirocco
Mistral
Khamsin
Chinook
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2011
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Let’s examine the characteristics of each local wind:
A) Sirocco: A hot, dry wind originating in the Sahara Desert and blowing northward across the Mediterranean Sea. It picks up moisture over the sea but is initially hot and dry.
B) Mistral: A strong, cold, dry wind that blows from the north down the Rhône Valley in France towards the Mediterranean Sea. It is associated with high pressure and clear, cold weather.
C) Khamsin: A hot, dry, sandy wind blowing from the south over Egypt and the Middle East, typically occurring in spring. Similar in nature to Sirocco.
D) Chinook: A type of Foehn wind that occurs on the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains in North America. It is a warm, dry wind caused by air descending the leeward side of a mountain range.
Comparing these, Sirocco, Khamsin, and Chinook are all characteristically hot and dry. Mistral is characteristically cold and dry.
Local winds have distinct characteristics regarding temperature, moisture content, and origin. Identifying a wind that is *not* hot and dry among a list of predominantly hot and dry winds requires knowing the specific nature of each wind type.
Foehn winds like the Chinook are warm because the descending air is compressed and warms adiabatically after losing moisture on the windward side of the mountain. The Mistral, conversely, is a katabatic wind, associated with cold air flowing down from elevated, cold landmasses or plateaus, channeled through valleys.

3. Which one among the following local winds is NOT related to Mediterran

Which one among the following local winds is NOT related to Mediterranean Sea ?

Harmattan
Khamsin
Sirocco
Mistral
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2024
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The Harmattan is a dry, dusty trade wind that blows from the Sahara Desert over West Africa and into the Atlantic Ocean during the dry season (typically November to March). It is not related to the Mediterranean Sea region. Khamsin is a hot, dry, sandy wind blowing in Egypt, often from the south. Sirocco is a Mediterranean wind originating in the Sahara and blowing north across North Africa and Southern Europe. Mistral is a cold, dry regional wind in southern France that blows down the Rhone River valley to the Mediterranean Sea. Therefore, Harmattan is the local wind that is NOT related to the Mediterranean Sea.
Local winds are influenced by regional topography and pressure systems. Understanding their origin and direction helps determine their associated regions.
Other local winds related to the Mediterranean region include Bora (Adriatic coast), Etesian (Aegean Sea), and Leveche (Spain). The Harmattan is known for reducing humidity and visibility in West Africa.

4. Which one of the following is a cold local wind ?

Which one of the following is a cold local wind ?

Santa Ana
Chinook
Mistral
Loo
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2020
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Among the given options, the Mistral is a well-known cold local wind. It is a strong, cold, dry wind that blows from the north and northwest through the lower Rhône Valley in France towards the Mediterranean Sea, particularly during winter.
Local winds are specific to a particular region and are often named based on their characteristics or location. They can be hot or cold.
Santa Ana is a hot, dry wind in Southern California. Chinook is a warm, dry wind (a type of Foehn wind) that blows down the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains in North America. Loo is a hot, dry wind that blows across the North Indian plains during the summer months. Other cold local winds include the Bora (Adriatic coast), Pampero (Argentina), and Blizzard (polar regions).

5. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code

Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists :

List-I
(Local Wind)		 List-II
(Place)
A. Yamo 1. Sudan
B. Black Roller 2. France
C. Bise 3. Japan
D. Haboob 4. North America

Code :

A-1, B-4, C-2, D-3
A-1, B-4, C-2, D-3 (Repeated option - listing once)
A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1
A-3, B-2, C-4, D-1
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2018
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The correct match is A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1.
This question tests knowledge of various local winds around the world and the regions where they occur.
– Yamo is a local wind associated with Japan. (A-3)
– Black Roller is a severe dust storm that occurs in the Great Plains region of North America. (B-4)
– Bise is a cold, dry northerly or northeasterly wind that blows in the Alpine regions, including parts of France. (C-2)
– Haboob is an intense dust storm or sandstorm common in arid and semi-arid regions, particularly noted in the Sahara Desert and the Arabian Peninsula (e.g., Sudan). (D-1)
Matching these correctly gives the combination A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1, which corresponds to Option C.

6. ‘Shamal’ warm and dry wind is a ‘Local’ wind found in

‘Shamal’ warm and dry wind is a ‘Local’ wind found in

East Asia
West Coast of Africa
Sahara of Africa
Mesopotamia
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2019
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‘Shamal’ warm and dry wind is a local wind found in Mesopotamia.
The Shamal (or Shumāl) is a northwesterly wind blowing over Iraq, Kuwait, and parts of northern Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf. It is a hot, dry wind that often brings dust and sandstorms, particularly in summer. Historically, this region corresponds largely to ancient Mesopotamia and the surrounding areas.
Other local winds have specific regional names: the Harmattan is a dry, dusty trade wind blowing from the Sahara Desert over West Africa; the Sirocco is a Mediterranean wind that comes from the Sahara and reaches southern Europe; the Khamsin is a dry, hot, sandy local wind occurring in Egypt and Israel. The Shamal is characteristic of the Middle East region encompassing Mesopotamia.

7. Which one of the following is a local wind that blows out from Siberia

Which one of the following is a local wind that blows out from Siberia ?

Bora
Purga
Mistral
Blizzard
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2018
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The correct answer is B.
Purga is a specific term for a violent snowstorm or blizzard, often accompanied by strong winds and drifting snow, occurring in the tundra regions of Russia and Siberia. The wind blows out from the cold interior regions. Bora is a cold, dry wind in the Adriatic region. Mistral is a cold wind in southern France. A blizzard is a general term for a severe snowstorm, not specific to originating from Siberia as a unique local wind name like Purga. Therefore, Purga is the local wind that blows out from Siberia among the given options.
Local winds are winds that blow over a limited area and are influenced by local topography or temperature differences. They have distinct names in different regions. Examples include Loo (India), Chinook (North America), Foehn (Alps), etc.

8. In the region of eastern shore of Adriatic Sea, a cold and dry wind bl

In the region of eastern shore of Adriatic Sea, a cold and dry wind blowing down from the mountain is known as

Mistral
Bora
Bise
Blizzard
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-1 – 2020
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The correct answer is Bora. Bora is a strong, cold, katabatic wind that blows from the mountains down to the Adriatic coast, particularly prevalent in countries like Croatia.
Bora is a regional name for a wind in the eastern Adriatic region, characterized by its cold, dry, and often gusty nature.
Mistral is a cold, northerly wind that blows down the Rhone Valley in France and affects the Mediterranean coast. Bise is a cold, dry wind affecting Switzerland and eastern France. Blizzard is a severe snowstorm with high winds and low visibility.
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