Question map
Which among the following phenomena can occur when very warm and humid air is rising over a mass of a very cold air? 1. Calm weather 2. Snowfall 3. Storms and cyclonic storms 4. Intense rain and hail Select the correct answer using the code given below : Code :
Explanation
When very warm and humid air rises over a mass of very cold air, it creates significant atmospheric instability [2]. This interaction typically occurs at frontal boundaries, where the denser cold air undercuts the lighter warm air, forcing it to rise rapidly [4]. This process, known as frontal lifting, leads to the formation of cumulonimbus clouds and the development of storms and cyclonic storms [3]. The rapid condensation of large quantities of water vapor in the rising warm, humid air liberates tremendous energy, which can result in intense rain and hail [2]. While warm fronts can cause widespread precipitation, the specific scenario of very warm/humid air meeting very cold air often triggers violent weather changes, including thunderstorms and heavy precipitation, rather than calm weather or simple snowfall [4].
Sources
- [2] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 8: Natural Hazards and Disaster Management > thunderstorms > p. 51
- [1] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 28: Temperate Cyclones > Explanation > p. 406
- [4] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 28: Temperate Cyclones > Weather Along A Cold Front > p. 400
- [3] Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 14: Climate > Rainfall > p. 137