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GeographyClass 11Atmospheric Circulation and Weather Systems

Atmospheric Circulation and Weather Systems | Class 11 Geography Notes

By ConceptScroll Team · Published on 17 July 2026 · 3 min read

Atmospheric Circulation and Weather Systems | Class 11 Geography Notes

Atmospheric Circulation and Weather Systems – this guide gives you a concise, exam-ready overview of Atmospheric Circulation and Weather Systems from Class 11 Geography, written by ConceptScroll editors and reviewed against the latest NCERT textbook.

World Distribution of Rainfall

Rainfall distribution varies globally in amount and seasonality. Generally, rainfall decreases from the equator towards the poles. Coastal areas receive more rainfall than interiors due to proximity to moisture sources (oceans).

Rainfall is heavier on eastern coasts between latitudes 35° and 40° N and S, decreasing westward. Between 45° and 65° latitudes, westerly winds bring rainfall to western continental margins, decreasing eastward. Mountain ranges parallel to coasts cause heavy rain on windward slopes and dry conditions on leeward sides (rain-shadow effect).

Based on annual precipitation, the world is divided into regimes:

  • Equatorial belt, western coasts in cool temperate zones, and monsoon coasts receive heavy rainfall (>200 cm/year).
  • Interior continental areas receive moderate rainfall (100-200 cm/year).
  • Central tropical and eastern temperate regions receive 50-100 cm/year.
  • Rain-shadow zones and high latitudes receive low rainfall (<50 cm/year).

Seasonal distribution varies; some regions have evenly distributed rainfall (equatorial belt), while others have distinct wet and dry seasons.

📊 Diagram: None in this section.

🧪 Activity: Project work: Note extreme rainfall news from June to December in different parts of India.

🔗 Connection: Summary and exercises to consolidate understanding of atmospheric water and precipitation.

Frequently asked questions

Along 30° N and 30° S are found the high-pressure areas known as:

Subtropical highs

The atmospheric pressure is expressed in units of…………

Milibars

1. Multiple choice questions. (i) Which one of the following is the most important constituent of the atmosphere for human beings? (a) Water vapour (c) Dust particle (b) Nitrogen (d) Oxygen (ii) Which one of the following process is responsible for transforming liquid into vapour? (a) Condensation (c) Evaporation (b) Transpiration (d) Precipitation (iii) The air that contains moisture to its full capacity : (a) Relative humidity (c) Absolute humidity (b) Specific humidity (d) Saturated air (iv) Which one of the following is the highest cloud in the sky? (a) Cirrus (c) Nimbus (b) Stratus (d) Cumulus

1.(i) The most important constituent of the atmosphere for human beings is Oxygen (d). Oxygen is essential for respiration and survival.

(ii) The process responsible for transforming liquid into vapour is Evaporation (c). Evaporation is the change of state from liquid to gas.

(iii) The air that contains moisture to its full capacity is Saturated air (d). Saturated air holds the maximum amount of water vapour possible at a given temperature.

(iv) The highest cloud in the sky is Cirrus (a). Cir

2. Answer the following questions in about 30 words. (i) Name the three types of precipitation. (ii) Explain relative humidity. (iii) Why does the amount of water vapour decreases rapidly with altitude? (iv) How are clouds formed? Classify them.

(i) The three types of precipitation are: Rain, Snow, and Hail.

(ii) Relative humidity is the ratio of the amount of water vapour present in the air to the maximum amount it can hold at that temperature, expressed as a percentage.

(iii) The amount of water vapour decreases rapidly with altitude because temperature decreases with height, reducing the air's capacity to hold moisture.

(iv) Clouds are formed when moist air rises, cools, and condenses into tiny water droplets or ice crystals. Clou

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