The macro-scale atmospheric wind flow in tropical India is determined strongly by the strength of the monsoon winds. The Indian monsoon period can be divided in two categories:

• South-West monsoon,
• North-East monsoon.

The South-West monsoon begins in April in the Indian Ocean. It then gradually moves in the North-East direction and first reachs the state of Kerala by the second half of May. Winds gradually get stronger over the months and reach their maximum strength during the month of July. During this period surface wind speeds exceeding 20-30 km/h are found over Western India, Southern Tamil-Nadu, Saurashtra, Kutch areas and coastal Bengal. 

Strong upper winds (150m above ground) are observed in the forenoons over the interior Peninsula, Western Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Saurashtra during the peak monsoon period.

From September the wind generally lose its strength over areas like Saurashtra, Kutch and Southern Tamil-Nadu experiencing winds over 15 km/h. During the winter months, the large scale air-flow reverses and moves from the North towards the Indian Ocean: this period is known as the North-East monsoon. Wind speeds over 10 km/h are usual during this period in Orissa, Saurashtra, Kutch and Southern Tamil-Nadu.

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