EvaluatorIAS
  1. Home
  2. PYQ Explorer
  3. Geography & Environment
  4. Pressure, Winds, Air Masses & Cyclones

Geography & Environment · Physical Geography

Pressure, Winds, Air Masses & Cyclones: 75 previous year questions

UPSC has asked 75 questions on Pressure, Winds, Air Masses & Cyclones between 2001 and 2026: CAPF 23 · NDA 16 · CSE 16 · CDS 14 · Geo-Scientist 6. 54 of them came after 2015, so this is a live topic examiners keep returning to. 16 were set in Civil Services Prelims; the rest come from UPSC's other papers, which draw on the same question bank.

Practise these 75, one at a timeRead the questions

Tap an option to check yourself. Answers follow the official UPSC key; where the key was dropped or disputed the question is not shown.

CAPF2026Pressure, Winds, Air Masses & CyclonesOn card GEO 7·3

Consider the following statements regarding cyclones in India: 1. More cyclones occur in the Bay of Bengal than in the Arabian Sea. 2. On an average, 12 to 15 tropical cyclones form every year. 3. Tropical cyclones occur continuously throughout the year. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Show answer
Answer A (official UPSC key)More cyclones occur in the Bay of Bengal than the Arabian Sea; they are seasonal, not year-round
NDA2026 · 1Pressure, Winds, Air Masses & CyclonesOn card GEO 7·3

Consider the following statements regarding extratropical cyclones : I. They usually develop in the mid and high latitudes. II. They affect a much larger area as compared to tropical cyclones. III. They move from east to west. Which of the statements given above are correct?

Show answer
Answer A (official UPSC key)Extratropical cyclones develop in mid and high latitudes and cover larger areas than tropical ones; they move west to east
NDA2025 · 1Pressure, Winds, Air Masses & CyclonesOn card GEO 7·1

Which of the following statements with reference to Coriolis force is/are correct ? 1. Coriolis force acts perpendicular to the pressure gradient force 2. At the equator, the Coriolis force is zero and the wind blows perpendicular to the isobars Select the answer using the code given below:

Show answer
Answer C (official UPSC key)The Coriolis force acts perpendicular to the pressure gradient force; at the equator it is zero and wind blows perpendicular to isobars
NDA2025 · 2Pressure, Winds, Air Masses & CyclonesOn card GEO 7·1

Consider the following conditions favourable for the formation and intensification of Tropical Storms: 1. Presence of the Coriolis force 2. Upper divergence above the sea level system 3. High variations in the vertical wind speed Which of the conditions given above is/are correct?

Show answer
Answer C (official UPSC key)The Coriolis force and upper divergence favour tropical storms; high vertical wind shear does not
CAPF2024Pressure, Winds, Air Masses & CyclonesOn card GEO 7·1

Consider the following characteristics of a type of wind : 1. They occur at upper levels in the atmosphere 2. They are subjected to two forces, a pressure gradient force and the Coriolis force 3. When the forces balance, air moves at right angles to the pressure gradient, parallel to the isobars Identify the type of wind on the basis of the given characteristics :

Show answer
Answer B (official UPSC key)Upper-level winds balancing pressure gradient and Coriolis force are geostrophic winds
CDS2024 · 2Pressure, Winds, Air Masses & CyclonesOn card GEO 7·2

Consider the following statements : 1. Hadley cells are key to understanding the wind patterns of Earth. 2. Hadley cells are formed because the Equator is heated more strongly by the Sun than other places, creating thermal circulations. With regard to the statements given above, which of the following is correct ?

Show answer
Answer A (official UPSC key)Hadley cells are key to Earth's wind patterns and form because the Equator is heated most (both correct, 2 explains 1)
NDA2024 · 1Pressure, Winds, Air Masses & CyclonesOn card GEO 7·2

Consider the following statements regarding 'fronts': 1. The movement of a front causes a slow change in weather in the area over which it moves. 2. Cold fronts are associated with thunderstorms. 3. Warm front is the boundary between an advancing mass of warm air where it is overriding and rising above a mass of colder air. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Show answer
Answer C (official UPSC key)Cold fronts bring thunderstorms and a warm front is where warm air rises over cold air; fronts bring sudden, not slow, weather change
NDA2024 · 1Pressure, Winds, Air Masses & CyclonesOn card GEO 7·1

Which of the following statements regarding cyclones and anti-cyclones is/are correct? 1. In the Northern Hemisphere, cyclones rotate counter clockwise and anticyclones rotate clockwise. 2. Cyclones are often associated with cloudy or rainy weather, whereas anticyclones are often associated with fair weather. 3. In the Southern Hemisphere, the cyclonic spiral will be clockwise because the Coriolis force acts to the left. Select the answer using the code given below:

Show answer
Answer D (official UPSC key)Northern cyclones turn counter clockwise and anticyclones clockwise, cyclones bring rain and anticyclones fair weather, and southern cyclones turn clockwise
NDA2024 · 1Pressure, Winds, Air Masses & CyclonesOn card GEO 7·3

Which of the following statements regarding tropical cyclones is/are correct? 1. These storms develop during the summer and autumn in every tropical ocean except the South Atlantic and eastern South Pacific Oceans. 2. Tropical cyclones that occur in the North Atlantic and eastern North Pacific Oceans are known as typhoons. 3. Tropical cyclones that occur in the Indian and South Pacific Oceans are called cyclones. Select the answer using the code given below:

Show answer
Answer C (official UPSC key)Tropical cyclones form in every tropical ocean except the South Atlantic and eastern South Pacific and are called cyclones in the Indian and South Pacific Oceans; North Atlantic ones are hurricanes, not typhoons
NDA2024 · 2Pressure, Winds, Air Masses & CyclonesOn card GEO 7·3

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists: List I (Tropical Cyclone) List II (Country) A. Hurricanes 1. China B. Willy Willy 2. Philippines C. Baguio 3. Australia D. Typhoons 4. USA Code A B C D

Show answer
Answer A (official UPSC key)Hurricanes - USA, Willy Willy - Australia, Baguio - Philippines, Typhoons - China
CSE2023Pressure, Winds, Air Masses & CyclonesOn card GEO 7·3

Consider the following statements: Statements-I: The temperature contrast between continents and oceans is greater during summer than in winter. Statements-II: The specific heat of water is more than that of land surface. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Show answer
Answer D (official UPSC key)Water's specific heat is higher than land's, but the land-ocean temperature contrast is greater in winter than summer
CAPF2022Pressure, Winds, Air Masses & CyclonesOn card GEO 7·1

Trough and ridge are

Show answer
Answer A (official UPSC key)A trough is an elongated low and a ridge an elongated high pressure area
Geo-Scientist2022Pressure, Winds, Air Masses & CyclonesOn card GEO 7·3

Which one of the following events has not been attributed to El Nino during early 1980s?

Show answer
Answer C (official UPSC key)Prolific coral reef growth was not attributed to the early 1980s El Nino
CDS2021 · 1Pressure, Winds, Air Masses & CyclonesOn card GEO 7·3

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists: List I List II A. Cyclones 1. Western Australia B. Hurricanes 2. South China Sea C. Typhoons 3. Indian Ocean D. Willy-willies 4. Atlantic Ocean Code

Show answer
Answer B (official UPSC key)Cyclones - Indian Ocean, Hurricanes - Atlantic Ocean, Typhoons - South China Sea, Willy-willies - Western Australia
CSE2020Pressure, Winds, Air Masses & CyclonesOn card GEO 7·3

Consider the following statements: [2020-I] 1. Jet streams occur in the Northern Hemisphere only. 2. Only some cyclones develop an eye. 3. The temperature inside the eye of a cyclone is nearly 10 C lesser than that of the surroundings. Which of the statements given above is/are correct:

Show answer
Answer C (official UPSC key)Only some cyclones develop an eye; jet streams occur in both hemispheres and the eye is warmer, not cooler, than its surroundings
CDS2019 · 1Pressure, Winds, Air Masses & CyclonesOn card GEO 7·3

Which one of the following may be the true characteristic of cyclones?

Show answer
Answer A (official UPSC key)Temperate cyclones move west to east with the westerlies, while tropical cyclones follow the trade winds
CAPF2018Pressure, Winds, Air Masses & CyclonesOn card GEO 7·3

Which of the following statements about tropical cyclone are correct? 1. It originates and develops over warm oceanic surface. 2. Presence of Coriolis force is necessary for it. 3. It occurs in middle latitudinal region. 4. It develops ‗eye‘ with calm and descending air condition. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Show answer
Answer B (official UPSC key)Tropical cyclones form over warm oceans, need the Coriolis force and develop a calm eye; they are not mid-latitude systems
CAPF2017Pressure, Winds, Air Masses & CyclonesOn card GEO 7·2

Which one of the following is NOT a favourable condition for occurrence of a thunderstorm ?

Show answer
Answer C (official UPSC key)Advection of cold dry air low and warm moist air aloft is not favourable for thunderstorms
CDS2017 · 1Pressure, Winds, Air Masses & CyclonesOn card GEO 7·1

Which one of the following statements with regard to Jet stream, an upper level tropospheric wave, is not correct?

Show answer
Answer D (official UPSC key)The polar front jet is strongest in winter, not summer
CAPF2015Pressure, Winds, Air Masses & CyclonesOn card GEO 7·2

Under which of the following condition(s) the occluded fronts are created ? 1. When the front remains stationary 2. When cold air mass moves to warm air mass 3. When warm air mass moves to cold air mass 4. When an air mass is fully lifted above the land surface Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Show answer
Answer D (official UPSC key)An occluded front forms when an air mass is fully lifted above the land surface
CAPF2015Pressure, Winds, Air Masses & CyclonesOn card GEO 7·1

Consider the following statements relating to cyclone, anti cyclone and trade wind : 1. The wind direction is clockwise in the cyclone of northern hemisphere 2. The planetary wind that blows from north-east to north-west is known as north-east trade wind 3. The wind direction is anti clockwise in the anticyclone of southern hemisphere 4. Both westerlies and trade winds originate from sub-tropical highs Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

Show answer
Answer A (official UPSC key)Southern hemisphere anticyclones are anti-clockwise and westerlies and trades both start from sub-tropical highs; northern cyclones are anti-clockwise
CDS2015 · 2Pressure, Winds, Air Masses & CyclonesOn card GEO 7·2

Which one of the following statements is correct?

Show answer
Answer B (official UPSC key)Cold fronts normally move faster than warm fronts and frequently overtake them
CSE2015Pressure, Winds, Air Masses & CyclonesOn card GEO 7·2

Consider the following statements [2015] 1. The winds which blow between 30° N and 60° S latitudes throughout the year are known as westerlies. 2. The moist air masses that cause winter rains in the North Western region of India are part of westerlies. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Show answer
Answer B (official UPSC key)Moist westerly air masses cause winter rain in north-west India; westerlies blow between about 30° and 60° in each hemisphere
CAPF2014Pressure, Winds, Air Masses & CyclonesOn card GEO 7·2

Consider the Following Statement Statement I: The Doldrums is a low pressure area around the Equator where the prevailing winds are calm Statement II: Low pressure is caused by the heat at the Equator which makes the air rise and travel both Northwards and Southwards Code :

Show answer
Answer A (official UPSC key)The Doldrums is a calm equatorial low because heated air rises and moves north and south (both true, II explains I)
CAPF2014Pressure, Winds, Air Masses & CyclonesOn card GEO 7·1

Consider the Following Statement Statement I : Roaring Forties are strong Westerly winds found in the Southern Hemisphere, generally between the latitudes of 40° and 50° Statement II : The strong East to West air currents are caused by the combination of air being displaced from the Equator towards the South Pole and the Earth‘s rotation and there are few landmasses to serve as wind breaks Code :

Show answer
Answer C (official UPSC key)The Roaring Forties are strong westerlies at 40°-50° S; they blow west to east, not east to west
CAPF2011Pressure, Winds, Air Masses & CyclonesOn card GEO 7·1

Which one among the following statements relating to a cyclone is not correct ?

Show answer
Answer C (official UPSC key)Winds in a cyclone move towards the low-pressure centre (the option stating otherwise is wrong)
CSE2011Pressure, Winds, Air Masses & CyclonesOn card GEO 7·2

What could be the main reason/reasons for the formation of the African and Eurasian desert belt? 1. It is located in the subtropical high-pressure cells. 2. It is under the influence of warm ocean currents. Which of the statements given above is/are correct in this context?

Show answer
Answer A (official UPSC key)The African and Eurasian desert belt lies in subtropical high-pressure cells; it is not due to warm ocean currents
CSE2011Pressure, Winds, Air Masses & CyclonesOn card GEO 7·1

Westerlies in the southern hemisphere are stronger and persistent than in the northern hemisphere. Why? 1. The southern hemisphere has less landmass as compared to the northern hemisphere. 2. Coriolis force is higher in the southern hemisphere as compared to the northern hemisphere. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Show answer
Answer A (official UPSC key)Southern Hemisphere westerlies are stronger because it has less landmass; the Coriolis force is not higher there
CSE2011Pressure, Winds, Air Masses & CyclonesOn card GEO 7·3

La Nina is suspected to have caused recent floods in Australia. How is La Nina different from El Nino? 1. La Nina is characterized by unusually cold ocean temperature in the equatorial Indian Ocean whereas El Nino is characterized by unusually warm ocean temperature in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. 2. El Nino has an adverse effect on the southwest monsoon of India, but La Nina has no effect on the monsoon climate. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Show answer
Answer D (official UPSC key)La Nina is cold water in the equatorial Pacific, not Indian Ocean, and La Nina does affect the Indian monsoon
CSE2010Pressure, Winds, Air Masses & CyclonesOn card GEO 7·3

A new type of El Nino called El Nino Modoki appeared in the news. In this context, consider the following statements: 1. Normal El Nino forms in the Central Pacific Ocean whereas El Nino Modoki forms in the Eastern Pacific Ocean 2. Normal El Nino results in diminished hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean but El Nino Modoki results in a greater number of hurricanes with greater frequency. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Show answer
Answer B (official UPSC key)Normal El Nino forms in the eastern Pacific and El Nino Modoki in the central Pacific; normal El Nino diminishes Atlantic hurricanes while Modoki brings more of them
CSE2007Pressure, Winds, Air Masses & CyclonesOn card GEO 7·2

Consider the following statements: 1. Either of the two belts over the oceans at about 30° to 35° N and S Latitudes is known as Horse latitude. 2. Horse latitudes are low-pressure belts. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Show answer
Answer A (official UPSC key)The belts at about 30° to 35° N and S over the oceans are the Horse latitudes, which are high-pressure, not low-pressure, belts
CSE2005Pressure, Winds, Air Masses & CyclonesOn card GEO 7·1

Assertion (A): Wind patterns are clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and anti-clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. Reason (R): The directions of wind patterns in the Northern and the Southern Hemisphere are governed by the Coriolis effect.

Show answer
Answer D (official UPSC key)Wind patterns are governed by the Coriolis effect, but cyclonic winds are anti-clockwise in the Northern and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere (A false, R true)
CSE2003Pressure, Winds, Air Masses & CyclonesOn card GEO 7·1

Assertion (A): Areas lying within five to eight degrees latitude on either side of the equator receive rainfall throughout the year. Reason (R): High temperatures and high humidity cause convectional rain to fall mostly in the afternoons near the equator.

Show answer
Answer A (official UPSC key)Areas within five to eight degrees of the equator get rain all year from afternoon convectional showers caused by high temperature and humidity (A and R true, R explains A)
CSE2002Pressure, Winds, Air Masses & CyclonesOn card GEO 7·1

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
Answer C (official UPSC key)Surface winds spiral inwards to a cyclone's centre, where air rises, not descends (A true, R false)
CSE2002Pressure, Winds, Air Masses & CyclonesOn card GEO 7·2

Assertion (A): 60° - 65° latitudes in both the hemispheres have a low pressure belt instead of high pressure. Reason (R): The low pressure areas are permanent over oceans rather than on land.

Show answer
Answer B (official UPSC key)60°-65° latitudes have low pressure belts, and low pressure areas are permanent over oceans, but that does not explain the belts (both true, R not the explanation)

Related topics

Universe, Solar System & Earth Motions · 64Latitude, Longitude, Time & Maps · 81Earth's Interior, Rocks & Minerals · 59Plate Tectonics, Earthquakes & Volcanoes · 63Landforms & Geomorphic Processes · 71Atmosphere: Composition, Layers & Heat Budget · 69Humidity, Clouds & Precipitation · 45World Climate Types, Natural Regions & Biomes · 71Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & Salinity · 89