What is a monsoon?

Met Office
Met Office
  • last year
What is a monsoon? The word monsoon comes from the Arabic word 'mausim' which translates as 'season', which is suggestive of the seasonal nature of the monsoon and its associated rains.

A monsoon climate is characterised by a dramatic seasonal change in direction of the prevailing winds of a region which brings a marked change in rainfall.

The monsoon climate results in high annual rainfall totals exceeding 1.5 m (5 ft) in many places.

Recommended

0:17
I
Up next
Flash flooding in Sioux Falls, South Dakota as heavy rain floods street amid intense storms
Newsflare
2:29
Monsoon storms bring threat of flooding across Arizona
ABC15
1:08
Monsoon moisture brings storms, floods and mudslides throughout the Southwest
AccuWeather
0:46
Areas in the East Valley flooded during monsoon storms
ABC15
2:30
Monsoon storms and flash flooding possible
ABC15
1:05
The threat of flash flooding continues as monsoon storms develop across Arizona
ABC15
2:19
McCormick Parkway flooded after monsoon storms Friday
ABC15
2:29
More monsoon storms, flooding possible across AZ
ABC15
2:17
Wild monsoon storms, Flood Watch until 11 pm
ABC15
2:29
Monsoon storms will bring threat of flooding across Arizona
ABC15
1:52
Floods leave behind a big cleanup north of the Valley following monsoon storms
ABC15
2:23
Web weather: Monsoon storms for some today
ABC15
2:31
Best chance for monsoon storms Wednesday before rain chances ease
ABC15
0:43
Early morning monsoon storms brings heavy rain, thunder
ABC15
1:42
Monsoon storms bring rain, dust in the Valley
ABC15
4:04
Monsoon storms with possible rain, hail coming to the Valley
ABC15
3:15
Southern Arizona swarmed with monsoon storms, heavy rain
Newsflare
3:08
One day break from monsoon storms in the Valley before rain chances return
ABC15
0:39
[GIFT IDEAS] Science Comics: Wild Weather: Storms, Meteorology, and Climate
dm_a4d4f3fea64c54c2267cc81b55674391
0:39
Full version Science Comics: Wild Weather: Storms, Meteorology, and Climate For Kindle
Bearenmard
1:24
Monsoon floods Bali beach with plastic
AFP English
3:15
'Habagat', thunderstorms to bring rain showers in Metro Manila, rest of PH
Manila Bulletin
3:02
Namataang LPA, wala nang epekto sa bansa; Habagat, patuloy na iiral - Weather update today (September 14, 2023) | 24 Oras
GMA Integrated News
2:41
Trough ng LPA sa loob ng PAR, walang epekto sa bansa; Habagat, magpapaulan sa malaking bahagi ng bansa - Weather update today (September 13, 2023) | 24 Oras
GMA Integrated News
5:30
'Habagat' rains to prevail in most of PH; LPA trough affects parts of Luzon -- PAGASA
Manila Bulletin
6:15
'Habagat' to affect most of PH; LPA extension brings rainshowers in N. Luzon
Manila Bulletin

Met Office

2:38
Met Office Morning Weather Forecast 12/05/24 – Sunny and warm for most
Met Office
3:22
Met Office Evening Weather Forecast 11/05/24 – More auroras
Met Office
2:36
Met Office Afternoon Weather Forecast 11/05/24 – Few showers in the north
Met Office
3:10
Met Office Morning Weather Forecast 11/05/24 – Fine and Warm
Met Office
3:39
Met Office Evening Weather Forecast 10/05/24 – Clear for Majority
Met Office
4:11
Met Office Afternoon Weather Forecast 10/05/24 – Dry, fine and sunny
Met Office

Learn about weather and climate

1:50
What is a weather bomb?
Met Office
1:13
What is space weather and how does it impact us on Earth?
Met Office
1:20
Where is tornado alley and why does it exist?
Met Office
2:28
What is the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO)?
Met Office
6:18
What is global circulation? Part Three - The Coriolis effect and winds
Met Office
1:48
How does rain form and what is the water cycle?
Met Office

Featured channels

More from
Met Office
More from
ODN
More from
SWNS
More from
GoodtoKnow
More from
Evening Standard
More from
FourFourTwo