Solution (a)

Tamil Nadu coast is situated parallel to the Bay of Bengal branch of Southwest monsoon. Because of this the monsoon winds do not strike it and instead pass over. 

Hence statement 1 is correct.

Tamil Nadu coast lies in the rain shadow region of the Arabian Sea branch of the south-west monsoon. But the given statement says it doesn’t lie in the rain shadow region of Arabian Sea branch. Since it is bereft of the moisture from both the branches it remains dry. It instead receives rainfall from the north-eastern monsoon that comes with a retreat.

Hence statement 2 is incorrect.

The Eastern Ghats have less elevation compared to the Western Ghats and they do not have very high summits.

Hence statement 3 is incorrect.

Solution (b)

The North-East monsoon, commonly known as winter monsoon blows from the Land to sea, whereas south-west monsoon, known as summer monsoon blows from sea to land after crossing the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea, and the Bay of Bengal. 

Hence option b is correct.

Solution (d)

A high pressure system is colder air moving from the upper layers of the atmosphere towards the earth’s surface. The air is becomes more dense as it sinks, and any water is vaporized into the air mass. There is no water to form clouds and the air is stable, fair, and dry. 

Hence statement 1 is incorrect.

Low pressure systems result in unsettled weather with precipitation or storms, while high pressure brings in settled dryer weather over longer periods. Low pressure systems tend to result in unsettled weather, and may present clouds, high winds, and precipitation. As the low pressure intensifies, storms or hurricanes can be formed.

Hence statement 2 is incorrect.

Solution (c)

These winds flow from high elevations of mountains, plateaus, and hills down their slopes to the valleys or planes below. A katabatic wind originates from radiational cooling of air atop a plateau, a mountain, glacier, or even a hill. Since the density of air is inversely proportional to temperature, the air will flow downwards, warming approximately adiabatically as it descends. The temperature of the air depends on the temperature in the source region and the amount of descent. They are also called Gravity winds or Downslope winds.

Hence both the statements are correct.

Solution (a)

The Coriolis force is directly proportional to the angle of latitude. Which means, the coriolis force is zero at the equator and maximum at the Poles. As the colriolis force is zero, at the equator the wind blows perpendicular to the isobars. The low pressure gets filled instead of getting intensified i.e., there is no spiraling of air due to zero Coriolis effect. The winds directly gets uplifted vertically to form thunderstorms.

Hence option a is correct.

Solution (c)

The ideal conditions for its formation are clear sky, calm air, high relative humidity, and cold and long nights. 

Hence statement 1 is correct.

For the formation of dew, it is necessary that the dew point is above the freezing point.

Hence statement 2 is correct.

Solution (b)

Chinook/Fohn winds are strong, dry and warm winds which develop on the leeward side of the mountains. 

Hence statement a is correct.

These winds are formed when descending air becomes compressed with increased pressure. Hence statement b is incorrect.

These winds are experienced in the valleys of the northern Alps, particularly in Switzerland in spring. 

Hence statement c is correct.

The winds helps animal grazing by melting snow and fastens the ripening of grapes.

Hence statement d is correct.

Solution (b)

Mediterranean climate

• The basic cause of this type of climate is the shifting of the wind belts.
• Clear skies and high temperatures; hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters.
• Mean annual precipitation ranges from 35 – 90 cm.
• Climate is not extreme because of cooling from water bodies.

Solution (d)

The centre of Tropical cyclone is characterized by extremely low pressure.

Hence statement 1 is correct.

Solution (b)

The favourite breeding grounds of temperate cyclones are:

• Over USA and Canada, extending over Sierra Nevada, Colorado, Eastern Canadian Rockies and the Great Lakes region.
• Mexican Gulf
• The belt extending from Iceland to Barents Sea and continuing over Russia and Siberia.
• The Antarctic frontal zone.