Southwest monsoon is gradually withdrawing from the Indian subcontinent.

We have been waiting for the rains after prolonged heatwaves last summer and now many of us have had their share of wet season too. We are eagerly looking forward to mild sunny days before winter settles in! But why does the monsoon come to an end?

Clear skies and dry weather start prevailing in an area and there is no rainfall for days at a stretch. That's a sure sign of retreating monsoon. Withdrawal of the monsoon winds starts in September in North-West of India and continues throughout October.

The winds reversal is key to retreating monsoon. Winds change the direction and we can observe persistent surface easterlies instead of south-western monsoon winds.

This brings moisture and inclement weather to the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala as well as South Interior Karnataka, Rayalaseema and Coastal Andhra Pradesh. Rest of the country will soon notice a drop in temperature and first foggy mornings.

The combination of the withdrawal of the Southwest monsoon and the onset of Northeast monsoon builds a fertile ground for a formation of tropical cyclones in the Bay of Bengal. Be vigilant and watch this space for regular updates!