Q. Consider the following statements with reference to Mediterranean climate:
1. It receives rainfall in the winter season.
2. Due to winter solstice, air pressure belts shift to the South.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
a) Only 2
b) Neither 1 nor 2
c) Only 1
d) Both 1 and 2
Question from UPPSC Prelims 2024
Correct Answer: d) Both 1 and 2
Explanation:
Statement 1: It receives rainfall in the winter season.
– This statement is correct. The Mediterranean climate is known for its dry summers and wet winters. During the winter season, the westerly winds shift towards the Mediterranean region, bringing cyclonic rainfall. This is a defining feature of the Mediterranean climate.
Statement 2: Due to winter solstice, air pressure belts shift to the South.
– This statement is also correct. The Earth’s pressure belts shift with the apparent movement of the sun. During the winter solstice (around December 21), the sun is overhead in the Southern Hemisphere, causing the pressure belts to shift southward. This southward shift allows the westerlies to influence the Mediterranean region, leading to winter rainfall.
Both statements are correct. Therefore, the correct answer is d) Both 1 and 2.
