Which of the following is a characteristic of the winter season in the northern plains?

Appeared in: DSSSB October 2024

Explanation

The northern plains of India experience a continental climate, leading to pronounced seasons with very cold winters.
During winter, cold waves from the Himalayas cause a significant drop in temperature across the entire region.
Dense fog is a common feature, which blocks sunlight during the day, leading to low daytime temperatures.
At night, clear skies (after the fog lifts or on clear days) and lack of solar radiation cause temperatures to plummet further, often reaching near-freezing levels.

Option B: This is meteorologically improbable in this region during winter. Nights are almost always colder than days due to the absence of solar heating.
Option C: Hot days are characteristic of the summer season. A large diurnal temperature range (hot days and cold nights) is more typical of arid and semi-arid desert regions, not the northern plains in winter.
Option D: This describes the peak summer season (May-June) in the northern plains, which is characterized by intense heat during both day and night.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Climatic characteristics of the northern plains of India during the winter season as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Cold weather is associated with an increased incidence of respiratory illnesses like influenza, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Nurses should be aware of this seasonal trend.
Vulnerable populations, including the elderly, infants, and the homeless, are at a higher risk of hypothermia and frostbite during the cold waves in northern India.
Nurses often advise patients with chronic conditions like asthma and heart disease to take extra precautions during winter, as the cold can exacerbate their symptoms.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: 'winter season' and 'northern plains'.
Recall the basic geography and climate of India. The northern plains are far from the sea's moderating influence and close to the Himalayas.
Consider the effect of the Himalayas on the winter climate of the plains. Cold winds from the mountains are a major factor.
Think about other winter phenomena in this region, such as fog, and how it affects daytime temperatures.
Evaluate each option based on this understanding. 'Hot days' can be immediately eliminated for the winter season.
Compare 'cold days and cold nights' with 'cold days and warm nights'. The latter is unlikely as nights are colder without the sun, leading to the conclusion that both days and nights are cold.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Climatic characteristics of the northern plains of India during the winter season.
Stem keywords: characteristic, winter season, northern plains
Lead-in keywords: Which of the following

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 2 — Subpart B (pp 233-449 of 464) p. 63-65

Practise the full DSSSB October 2024

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.