GEOGRAPHY
CLIMATE
Distribution of Temperature
The regions to the North of the Tropic of Cancer 23½° N have continental
type of climate i.e., very hot in summer and cold in winter.
The regions to the South of the Tropic of Cancer 23½° N which are nearer
to the equator, have a range of 25°C to 27°C average temperature during
the entire year.
The Indian coastline has an equable or maritime type of climate due to
the moderating effect of the sea.
Rainfall
The climate of India is strongly influenced by monsoon winds.
The North-Eastern and some parts of Western India receive 400 cm of
rainfall annually.
In the interior of the Deccan plateau and East of the Sahyadris, the
rainfall is low.
The rest of the India receives moderate rainfall. Snowfall is restricted to
the Himalayan regions.
winds in Summer and Winter
The summer months experience rising temperature and falling air
pressure in the Northern part of India.
The local wind Loo is the striking feature of the hot weather season,
which is a gusty, hot, dry wind blowing during the day over the North and
North-Western India.
Winter season is influenced by the North-East trade winds, which blow
from land to sea.
The Northern plains act as the inflow gate of cyclonic disturbances from
the West and the North-West.
Monsoon and its mechanism
India has a tropical monsoon type of climate.
The differential heating and cooling of land and water creates low
pressure on the landmass of India while the seas around experience high
pressure comparatively.
The position of the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) shifts in
summer over the Ganga plain, which attracts winds from Indian ocean
and known as South-West monsoon.
Factors responsible for having monsoonal type climate in India :
1. Location : Location plays an important role in having monsoon type
climate in India. During summer location of ITCZ shifts over Ganga plains
which attracts monsoon winds.
2. Indian Ocean : Monsoon wind blow toward India from Indian ocean get
moisture from ocean and bring rainfall in South Asia.
3. Mountains : The Himalayan mountains located in North acts as barrier for
monsoon winds. Winds collide with mountain and cause rainfall in the
Southern part of Himalayas. Apart from Himalayas western ghats also
acts as barrier and cause rainfall in Western slopes. Similarly Garo, Khasi
Joyantia hills of North-East are also responsible for monsoonal rainfall in
North-East India.
Seasons
Summer (March-May)
India's mainland experiences scroaching heat during these months and hence
low pressure prevails over this region, while high pressure prevails over
surrounding seas.
This season is also known for localized thunderstorms which brings light rain
often accompanied by hail. These thunderstorms are known as Kaal Baisakhi in
West Bengal, Assam (Good for tea cultivation).
In Kerala and Karnataka, when summer season is towards the end, pre
monsoon showers are experienced. These showers are known as mango
showers or April rains as they help in the early ripening of mangoes. In South
India (Karnataka) another pre-monsoon showers called 'cherry blossoms' are
beneficial for coffee plantation.
Characteristics of hot dry season are as follows:
1. This season is marked by dry weather and excessive heat.
2. The whole of tropical India, South of Himalayas, experiences very high
temperatures.
3. The range of temperature is very high in the interior.
4. The range of temperature is low over the coastal regions as they
experience equable climate.
5. In this season, the Sun shines directly above the Tropic of Cancer.
Seasons
Rainy Season or the South-West Monsoon (June-September)
During these months, areas with low pressure attract the South-East
trade winds coming from the Southern Hemisphere.
After deflection at the equator, they cross towards the Indian sub-
continent and get moisture from the Arabian Sea. The winds are named as
South-West monsoon because they come to India from the South-West
direction. Kerala is the first state which experiences onset of monsoon.
Due to the triangular shape of the Peninsular India, the monsoon winds
divide into two branches-Arabian sea branch and Bay of Bengal branch.
Arabian sea branch of Indian monsoon brings moisture from Arabian sea
and cause rainfall from windward side of Western ghats and Western part
of India.
Bay of Bengal branch of Indian monsoon brings moisture from Bay of
Bengal and cause rainfall over North-East India and Indo-Gangetic plains.
The Arabian sea and the Bay of Bengal branch of monsoon merge over the
North-Western part of Ganga plain Delhi, Western Uttar Pradesh, Punjab,
Haryana, Eastern Rajasthan get rainfall in the end of the June and first
week of July.
Aravalli range is situated in the parallel to the direction of Arabian sea
branch of monsoon that's why Rajasthan get no or less monsoon rainfall.
Seasons
Season of Retreating Monsoon or the North-East Monsoon (October-
November)
The retreat of the monsoon is marked by clear skies and rise in temperature.
The low pressure conditions over North-Western India get transferred to the
Bay of Bengal by early November, which causes the occurrence of cyclonic
depression. Cyclonic depressions, generally cross the Eastern coast of India
causing heavy and widespread rainfall
The Cold Season (December-February)
A feature of the cold weather season over the Northern Plains is the
inflow of cyclonic disturbances from the West and the North-West. It is
the dry season due to influence of North-East trade winds which blow
from land to sea.
The winter rainfall in North-West India is the main feature of the cold
season. This light rainfall is very useful for the rabi crop, especially wheat.
The variation in the winter temperatures North of the Tropic of Cancer,
which goes on decreasing as one moves North and South of the Tropic of
Cancer, which goes on increasing as one moves towards South with an
average of 20°C
