Geography › Atmosphere & Climatology – UPSC Prelims PYQs
69 questions · 1995–2026 · answers as per the UPSC key · page 2 of 2
Assertion (A): The surface winds spiral inwards upon the centre of the cyclone.
Reason (R): Air descends in the centre of the cyclone.
Show answer
The temperature and rainfall of a meteorological station are given below: JFMAMJJASOND Temperature (°C): 9.4 10.6 11.7 12.2 13.3 13.9 13.9 14.4 15.6 15.0 13.3 10.6 Rainfall (cm): 12.2 9.1 7.9 2.5 1.8 0.3 – – 0.8 2.5 6.1 11.7 Average Temperature: 12.8 °C
Average Rainfall: 54.9 cm per annum
Identify the region having the above climatic pattern from amongst the following:
Show answer
Match List I with List II
and select the correct answer using the codes given below the Lists:
List I
(Local Wind)
I. Fohn II. Samun III. Santa Ana IV. Zonda
List II
(Region)
A) Argentina
B) Kurdistan
C) California
D) Alps
Codes:
Show answer
Assertion (A): Anti-cyclonic conditions are formed in winter season when atmospheric pressure is high and air temperatures are low.
Reason (R): Winter rainfall in Northern India causes development of anticyclonic conditions with low temperatures.
Show answer
Cloudy nights are warmer compared to clear cloudless nights, because clouds
Show answer
Which of the following weather conditions is indicated by a sudden fall in barometer reading?
Show answer
Consider the following statements about the “Roaring Forties”: I. They blow uninterrupted in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. II. They blow with great strength and constancy. III. Their direction is generally from North-West to East in the Southern Hemisphere. IV. Overcast skies, rain and raw weather are generally associated with them.
Which of these statements are correct?
Show answer
Which one of the areas marked as A, B, C and D in the given figure of the cyclone, witnesses heavy torrential short-duration rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms?
Show answer
Consider the following temperature and rainfall data: Month Temperature °C Rainfall cm January
6.7
14.0
February
6.7
13.2
March
7.2
11.4
April
8.9
9.4
May
11.1
8.1
June
13.9
8.1
July
15.0
9.6
August
15.0
12.2
September 13.9 October
10.4
11.1
14.4
November
8.9
14.0
December
7.8
16.8
The climate to which this data pertains is
Show answer
July 27.8 14.5 August 27.8 14.0
September 22.3 12.7 October 18.3 7.0 November 12.2 5.0 December 6.7 3.5 These data are most likely to be found in the natural regions of
Show answer
The correct sequence of different layers of the atmosphere from the surface of the Earth upwards is
Show answer
Match List I with List II
and select the correct answer by using the codes given below the lists:
List I (Climatic Conditions) I. Chennai is warmer than Calcutta II. Snowfall in Himalayas III. Rainfall decreases from Depressions IV. Sutlej-Ganga Plain gets some rain in winter
List II (Reasons) A) North-east Monsoon B) Altitude C) Western West Bengal to Punjab D) Distance from sea E) Latitude
Codes:
Show answer
The January isotherm taken as a basis for dividing India into tropical and sub-tropical zones is
Show answer
Consider the map given below:
Of the four shaded areas in the map, that which is characterised by hot dry summers, mild and moist winters and seasonal reversal of winds is the area labelled
Show answer
Which one of the following layers of the atmosphere is responsible for the deflection of radio waves?
Show answer
Assertion (A): Areas near the equator receive rainfall throughout the year.
Reason (R): High temperatures and high humidity cause convectional rain in most afternoons near the equator. In the context of the above two statements, which one of the following is correct?
Show answer
High temperature and low pressure over the Indian sub-continent during the summer season, draws air from the Indian Ocean leading to the in-blowing of the
Show answer
Willy Willy is
Show answer
The clouds float in the atmosphere because of their low