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💡 The valley breathes
By day, sun-warmed slopes send air rising and pull a breeze up from the valley; by night it reverses. Hill towns like Shimla feel this daily rhythm.
What are valley and mountain breezes?
- By day , sun-facing slopes heat faster than the valley floor; warm air rises and cooler valley air flows up the slopes — a valley breeze (Fig. 13.8a).
- After sunset the slopes cool faster; the cooler, denser air flows down into the valley — a mountain breeze (Fig. 13.8b).
- These daily wind changes are felt in hilly regions like Shimla and Dehradun and help regulate temperature, moisture and crop health.
NCERT Question 5 — How are mountain and valley
How are mountain and valley breezes formed? Suppose there are two mountains, one covered with grass and another covered with barren rocks; would the temperature of the two mountain breezes be different? If so, how?
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Valley Breeze vs Mountain Breeze
Valley breeze
Mountain breeze
Blows during the day
Blows after sunset (night)
Slopes heat faster; warm air rises
Slopes cool faster; cool air sinks
Air flows up from the valley to the slopes
Air flows down the slopes into the valley
