Western disturbances, also known as extratropical cyclones, are weather

systems that form mostly in the mid-latitude regions of the Earth,

particularly in the northern hemisphere. They play a crucial role in
determining the weather patterns over many parts of South Asia,
including India, Pakistan, and neighboring countries.

Western disturbances are large-scale weather disturbances that originate

in the Mediterranean region or the Caspian Sea area. They are essentially
low-pressure systems that move eastwards. These systems bring cloud
cover, precipitation, and changes in wind patterns to the region they pass
through.

In South Asia, western disturbances are most prominent during the

winter months, from November to March. They travel across the region,
often interacting with the monsoon flow or the normal prevailing wind
patterns. When they interact with the monsoon winds, they can bring
rain or snowfall to the affected areas.

The effect of western disturbances varies depending on the region and

time of the year. In the plains, they typically result in rain or
thundershowers, while in the higher altitude areas, they can bring heavy
snowfall. These disturbances are particularly important for regions like
Northern India, Pakistan, and parts of Central Asia as they provide
much-needed precipitation during the winter season.

Western disturbances can also lead to temperature fluctuations and

changes in wind direction. They can bring colder air masses from higher
latitudes, causing a drop in temperatures. The interaction of these
disturbances with the local geography also plays a role in determining
the intensity and distribution of precipitation.

Overall, western disturbances are important weather phenomena that

bring precipitation and affect the weather patterns in South Asia,
providing beneficial rainfall and snowfall during the winter months.