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CLIMATE

The document provides an overview of climate and weather, defining key terms and elements, and detailing India's monsoon climate. It discusses factors affecting India's climate, including latitude, altitude, pressure systems, distance from the sea, and relief features, as well as the four distinct seasons experienced in India. Additionally, it highlights the distribution of rainfall across different regions and the monsoon's significance in agriculture and culture.

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Paleo 91
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15 views6 pages

CLIMATE

The document provides an overview of climate and weather, defining key terms and elements, and detailing India's monsoon climate. It discusses factors affecting India's climate, including latitude, altitude, pressure systems, distance from the sea, and relief features, as well as the four distinct seasons experienced in India. Additionally, it highlights the distribution of rainfall across different regions and the monsoon's significance in agriculture and culture.

Uploaded by

Paleo 91
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CLIMATE

1. Definition of Climate: Climate refers to the sum total of weather conditions and
variations over a large area for a long period of time (more than 30 years).
2. Definition of Weather: Weather is the state of the atmosphere over an area at
any point in time.
3. Elements of Weather and Climate: Temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind,
humidity, and precipitation.
4. Seasonal Divisions in a Year: Based on monthly atmospheric conditions, the
year is divided into winter, summer, and rainy seasons.
5. India’s Climate Type: The Indian climate is described as ‘monsoon type.’

Do You Know?
The word “monsoon” comes from the Arabic word ‘mausim’, which means season.

FACTORS AFFECTING INDIA’S CLIMATE

1. Latitude:
• The Tropic of Cancer passes through India, dividing it into tropical and
subtropical zones.
• The southern parts lie in the tropical zone, while the northern parts experience
subtropical climatic conditions.
2. Altitude:
• India has mountains in the north, with heights averaging 6,000 meters, and
coastal areas with an elevation of 30 meters.
• The Himalayas protect the country from cold winds from Central Asia, leading to
milder winters.
3. Pressure and Winds:
• India’s climate is governed by pressure systems, surface winds, upper air
circulation, and cyclonic disturbances.
• The southwest monsoon brings abundant rainfall, while the northeast winds
create dry conditions.
4. Distance from the Sea:
• Coastal regions experience a moderating influence due to the sea, while interior
regions face extreme weather (continentality).
• Continentality leads to hot summers and cold winters.
5. Relief:
• High mountains like the Himalayas act as barriers for winds, influencing rainfall
patterns and temperatures.
• The leeward side of mountains remains dry, leading to significant climatic
variations.

Do You Know?
The Coriolis Force, caused by Earth’s rotation, deflects winds, impacting their direction.

CLIMATIC CONTROLS

1. Latitude: Determines the amount of solar energy received; temperature


decreases from the equator toward the poles.
2. Altitude: Higher altitudes have lower temperatures as the air becomes less
dense.
3. Pressure and Wind Systems: These depend on the latitude and altitude,
influencing temperature and rainfall patterns.
4. Distance from the Sea: Coastal areas have moderate climates; interior areas
experience extremes due to distance from the sea.
5. Relief Features:
• Mountains can block or redirect winds.
• Precipitation often occurs on windward sides, while leeward sides remain dry.

Do You Know?
Ocean currents and winds can warm or cool coastal regions depending on their flow
direction.

THE SEASONS

India experiences four distinct seasons, each with unique characteristics:

1. The Cold Weather Season (Winter)

• Duration: Mid-November to February.


• Temperature:
• Northern India experiences average temperatures between 10°C and 15°C.
• Chennai records temperatures between 24°C and 25°C.
• Weather Conditions:
• Clear skies, low temperatures, low humidity, and variable winds.
• Frost is common in northern India, and the Himalayas experience snowfall.
• Winds: Northeast trade winds prevail, generally dry except for rainfall on the
Tamil Nadu coast.
• Importance: The season supports the cultivation of Rabi crops like wheat and
barley.

Do You Know?
Western cyclonic disturbances bring winter rain, known locally as mahawat, which
benefits Rabi crops.
___________________________________________________________________________

2. The Hot Weather Season (Summer)

• Duration: March to May.


• Temperature:
• Deccan Plateau: Around 38°C in March.
• Northwest India: Temperatures reach up to 45°C in May.
• Weather Phenomena:
• Loo: Strong, dry, hot winds in northern India.
• Dust Storms: Provide temporary relief with a drop in temperature.
• Pre-Monsoon Showers: Called “mango showers,” they help ripen mangoes in
Kerala and Karnataka.

Do You Know?
West Bengal experiences thunderstorms during this season, known as Kaal Baisakhi.
___________________________________________________________________________

3. The Advancing Monsoon (Rainy Season)

• Duration: June to September.


• Wind Pattern:
• Southwest monsoon winds originate from the southern Indian Ocean, bringing
moisture.
• Rainfall Distribution:
• Heavy rainfall occurs on the windward side of the Western Ghats and in
northeastern India.
• Mawsynram in Meghalaya receives the highest average rainfall in the world.
• Breaks in Monsoon:
• Monsoon rains are interspersed with dry spells due to shifts in the monsoon
trough.

Do You Know?
Tropical depressions from the Bay of Bengal contribute to rainfall intensity and
duration.
___________________________________________________________________________

4. The Retreating Monsoon (Transition Season)

• Duration: October to November.


• Weather Conditions:
• Clear skies and high day temperatures, with cooler nights.
• Humid and oppressive weather, commonly known as October heat.
• Cyclones:
• Tropical cyclones from the Bay of Bengal cause heavy rain along the eastern
coast.

Do You Know?
The Coromandel Coast receives most of its rainfall during this season.

4. The Retreating Monsoon (Transition Season)

• Duration: October to November.


• Weather Conditions:
• Clear skies and high day temperatures, with cooler nights.
• Humid and oppressive weather, commonly known as October heat.
• Cyclones:
• Tropical cyclones from the Bay of Bengal cause heavy rain along the eastern
coast.

Do You Know?
The Coromandel Coast receives most of its rainfall during this season.
___________________________________________________________________________

DISTRIBUTION OF RAINFALL

1. High Rainfall Regions:


• Parts of the western coast and northeastern India receive over 400 cm of annual
rainfall.
• Mawsynram in Meghalaya has the highest average rainfall in the world.
2. Low Rainfall Regions:
• Western Rajasthan and adjoining areas of Gujarat, Haryana, and Punjab receive
less than 60 cm annually.
• Interior regions of the Deccan Plateau and the leeward side of the Western Ghats
experience low precipitation.
3. Moderate Rainfall Regions:
• Most parts of India receive moderate rainfall, except for the areas mentioned
above.
4. Snowfall:
• Restricted to the Himalayan region, contributing to river flows in northern India.
5. Variability:
• High variability in regions of low rainfall (e.g., Rajasthan, Gujarat).
• Areas of high rainfall are prone to floods, while low rainfall areas are drought-
prone.

Do You Know?
The retreating monsoon contributes significantly to the rainfall in Tamil Nadu.
___________________________________________________________________________

MONSOON AS A UNIFYING BOND

1. Temperature Moderation:
• The Himalayas shield India from cold winds from Central Asia, ensuring warmer
winters.
• The Peninsular Plateau benefits from the moderating influence of the sea.
2. Agricultural Importance:
• Monsoon winds bring the much-needed water for agriculture, influencing crop
cycles and festivals.
3. River Systems:
• Rivers, fed by monsoonal rain, connect various regions of the country as a single
unit.
4. Seasonal Rhythm:
• The monsoon creates a predictable cycle of seasons, influencing life across India.
5. Cultural Significance:
• Festivals, rituals, and traditions revolve around the arrival and withdrawal of
monsoons.

Do You Know?
Despite regional climatic variations, the monsoon provides a unifying framework for
India’s agriculture and culture.
___________________________________________________________________________

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