Аннотация:The winter MONEX observations have been used to construct atmospheric circulation charts during an active phase and a break of the monsoon. The vertical velocity fields and water vapor transport are calculated for the opposite phases. The conditions causing the intensified monsoon circulation and the monsoon break are analyzed. The analysis of vertical velocity charts has shown that the processes in the Australian monsoon area are opposite in phase to the processes in the Indian monsoon area and in the central Indian Ocean. The results of calculations of the meridional and zonal transport of water vapor are used to identify the sources of moisture determining the water potential of the monsoon.