Atmosphere, Weather & Climate Questions with Solutions
This topic covers the composition and layers of the atmosphere, insolation and temperature, atmospheric pressure and the planetary winds, local winds, humidity, clouds and rainfall, cyclones and anticyclones, and the climatic regions of the world. Exam questions often test the layers of the atmosphere in order (troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere and exosphere), the ozone layer in the stratosphere, and local winds such as the Loo (India), Chinook (North America) and Foehn (Alps). Learn the names given to tropical cyclones in different regions: hurricanes, typhoons and willy-willies. Practise the atmosphere, weather and climate questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.
- Q1.
Which is the lowest layer of the Earth's atmosphere, where almost all weather phenomena occur?
A. MesosphereB. StratosphereC. ThermosphereD. TroposphereeasyAsked in SSCView solution › - Q2.
The low-pressure zone located near the equator, where the trade winds of the two hemispheres meet, is called the:
A. Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)B. Sub-tropical highC. Horse latitudesD. Polar frontmediumAsked in SSCView solution › - Q3.
'El Nino', the warm ocean current that affects the Indian monsoon, is a Spanish term meaning:
A. The warm windB. The Christ childC. The cold currentD. The little girlmediumAsked in SSCView solution › - Q4.
In which weather system do winds blow anticlockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere?
A. CyclonesB. AnticyclonesC. Trade windsD. WesterliesmediumAsked in SSCView solution › - Q5.
The word 'monsoon' is derived from the Arabic word 'mausim', which means:
A. WindB. SeasonC. CloudD. RaineasyAsked in SSCView solution › - Q6.
Mount Kilimanjaro lies about 300 km south of the Equator, where the Sun's rays are strong throughout the year. Yet, its summit remains covered with snow and ice. What is the main reason for this?
A. The mountain receives continuous rainfall that freezes at night.B. The summit is at a very high altitude where temperatures remain below freezing despite strong solar radiation.C. The mountain is near the Indian Ocean, which cools the surrounding air.D. Kilimanjaro lies in a cold oceanic current zone that lowers regional temperatures.easyAsked in MAH LLB 3 Year CET 1 April Shift 2 2026View solution › - Q7.
Which of the following best describes the climatic region known as the Mediterranean climate?
A. Humid summers and dry winters due to the dominance of trade winds.B. Cold, dry winters and warm, wet summers caused by monsoonal reversal of winds.C. Uniform rainfall throughout the year with mild temperatures due to equatorial low pressure.D. Hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters caused by the shifting influence of westerlies and subtropical highs.mediumAsked in MAH LLB 3 Year CET 2 April Shift-2 2026View solution › - Q8.
India's highest meteorological centre of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) is located in:
A. Leh, LadakhB. Shimla, Himachal PradeshC. Srinagar, Jammu and KashmirD. Gangtok, SikkimmediumAsked in SSCView solution ›