Seasonal Cycle

THERE ARE SEVERAL versions of seasons. The classical concept of season is of the four seasons that divide the year—spring, summer, fall, and winter. Some regions of the globe have weather-based seasons, such as rainy or dry seasons. Certain natural occurrences are more frequent during particular times of year; therefore, we have hurricane season as well as tornado season.

Seasonal cycles for weather patterns occur because of the atmosphere. Although the atmosphere is hundreds of miles thick, weather occurs in the base 7 mi. (11 km.), called the troposphere. Wind patterns in the troposphere are affected by the earths rotation. This pattern is stereotypical and is the cause for seasonal cycles such as monsoon season in the northern Indian Ocean.

Other seasonal cycles include patterned flooding of ...