Which winds, originating near the Mediterranean Sea, bring winter rainfall to the north western parts of India?

Introduction / Context:
India receives rainfall not only from the summer monsoon but also from other seasonal weather systems. In the winter months, certain winds and associated cyclonic systems bring rain and sometimes snow to the north western parts of the country. This question tests whether you can identify the specific weather system that originates near the Mediterranean region and then travels toward India.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The rainfall considered occurs in north western India during winter.
• The winds originate near the Mediterranean Sea.
• The options include Western disturbances, Norwesters, Loo winds, and Mango showers.
• We assume basic knowledge of Indian climate terminology.

Concept / Approach:
Western disturbances are extra tropical cyclonic systems that originate over the Mediterranean region and move eastwards, picking up moisture from the Mediterranean Sea and sometimes the Caspian and Black Seas. When these systems reach north western India in the winter months, they cause moderate rainfall and snowfall over states such as Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and the western Himalayas. This winter rain is vital for the rabi crops, particularly wheat. Norwesters are local thunderstorms over eastern India in the pre monsoon season. Loo winds are hot, dry summer winds in north India. Mango showers are pre monsoon showers in south India that help mango ripening.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the key clues: winter season, north western India, and origin near the Mediterranean Sea. Step 2: Recall that Western disturbances are extra tropical cyclones that travel from the Mediterranean region toward India during winter. Step 3: Remember that these systems cause rainfall and snowfall in north western India and the western Himalayas. Step 4: Compare with Norwesters, Loo, and Mango showers, all of which are associated with summer or pre monsoon conditions, not winter. Step 5: Conclude that Western disturbances are the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Indian climate chapters in NCERT and other textbooks clearly state that Western disturbances originate over the Mediterranean region and bring winter rain to north western India. Weather reports during winter frequently mention Western disturbances causing rain and snow over Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, and Haryana. Such repeated references confirm that Western disturbances are the system described.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Norwesters: These are violent local thunderstorms known as Kalbaisakhi, occurring in West Bengal, Assam, and adjoining areas in the pre monsoon hot season.
• Loo winds: These are hot, dry winds blowing in the northern plains during the peak of summer and do not bring rain.
• Mango showers: Pre monsoon showers in south India, especially Kerala and Karnataka, that help in mango ripening, not winter rainfall in the north west.

Common Pitfalls:
Students often confuse different seasonal local winds and showers because they memorise names without linking them to season and region. Confusing Norwesters with Western disturbances or thinking Mango showers are nationwide are typical errors. To avoid this, always tie each name to a simple mental key: Western disturbances winter rain in north west, Norwesters thunderstorms in east, Loo hot summer winds, and Mango showers pre monsoon rain in south India.

Final Answer:
The winds that bring winter rainfall to the north western parts of India from the Mediterranean region are called Western disturbances.