A monsoon is a seasonal change in wind direction that typically brings a marked change in local weather. It refers mainly to the Asian monsoon affecting India and Southeast Asia. The monsoon winds are caused when temperature differences between oceans and continents lead to winds blowing from land to ocean most of the year, but from ocean to land during certain months, bringing moist air and monsoon rains. Many parts of the world experience monsoons, most notably Asia where the monsoons are critical for agriculture and life in regions like India.