CLIMATE NOTES

Climate refers to the sum total of weather conditions and variations over a large area for a long
period of time (more than thirty years).
Weather refers to the state of the atmosphere over an area at any point of time.
The elements of weather and climate are the same, i.e. temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind,
humidity and precipitation. On the basis of the monthly atmospheric conditions, the year is divided
into seasons such as:

● Winter

● Summer

● Rainy Seasons

Climatic Controls
The climate of any place depends on the following factors:
1) Latitude
The amount of solar energy received varies according to latitude due to the curvature of the earth.
That’s why air temperature generally decreases from the equator towards the poles.
2) Altitude
The atmosphere becomes less dense and temperature decreases when we go to the higher altitude
from the earth surface. This is the reason why hills are cooler during summers.
3) Pressure and wind system
The pressure and wind system of any area depends on the latitude and altitude of the place. It
influences the temperature and rainfall pattern.
4) Distance from the sea
The sea exerts a moderating influence on the climate. As the distance from the sea increases, its
moderating influence decreases and people experience extreme weather conditions. This condition
is known as continentality i.e. very hot during summers and very cold during winters.
5) Ocean currents
Ocean currents along with onshore winds affect the climate of the coastal areas. For example, any
coastal area with warm or cold currents flowing past it, will be warmed or cooled if the winds are
onshore.
6) Relief features
Relief plays a major role in determining the climate of a place. High mountains act as barriers for
cold or hot winds. They may also cause precipitation if they are high enough and lie in the path of
rain-bearing winds. Precipitation is any form of moisture which falls to the earth. It includes rain,
snow, hail and sleet.

Factors Affecting India’s Climate

Latitude
The Tropic of Cancer passes through the middle of the country from the Rann of Kachchh in the
west to Mizoram in the east. India’s climate has characteristics of tropical as well as subtropical
climates.

Altitude
India has mountains to the north and also has a vast coastal area where the maximum elevation is
about 30 meters. Owing to the mountains, the subcontinent experiences comparatively milder
winters as compared to central Asia.

Pressure and Winds

The climate and weather conditions in India are governed by the following atmospheric conditions:

● Pressure and surface winds

● Upper air circulation

● Western cyclonic disturbances and tropical cyclones

The Seasons
4 main seasons can be identified in India:

1. The cold weather season (Winter)

2. The hot weather season (Summer)
3. The advancing monsoon (Rainy Season)
4. The retreating monsoon with some regional variations (Transition Season)

Let’s discuss each of them in detail:

The Cold Weather Season (Winter)

Winter begins from mid-November in northern India and stays till February.

● December and January are the coldest months in the northern part of India.

● The temperature decreases from south to the north.

● Days are warm and nights are cold.

● The weather is marked by clear sky, low temperatures and low humidity and feeble, variable
winds.
 ● This season is extremely important for the cultivation of ‘rabi’ crops.

The Hot Weather Season (Summer)

From March to May, hot weather season is observed in India. The summer months experience rising
temperature and falling air pressure in the northern part of the country. A striking feature of the hot
weather season is the ‘loo’. Loo is the strong, gusty, hot, dry winds blowing during the day over the
north and northwestern India.
Towards the close of the summer season, pre-monsoon showers come which help in the
early ripening of mangoes, and are often referred to as ‘mango showers’.

Advancing Monsoon (The Rainy Season)

● South-east trade winds originate over the warm subtropical areas of the southern oceans.
They cross the equator and blow in a southwesterly direction entering the Indian peninsula
as the south-west monsoon.
● The monsoon winds cover the country in about a month. Mawsynram in the southern ranges
of the Khasi Hills receives the highest average rainfall in the world.
● A phenomenon associated with the monsoon is its tendency to have ‘breaks’ in rainfall.

● The monsoon is known for its uncertainties.

● The alternation of dry and wet spells vary in intensity, frequency and duration.

Retreating/Post Monsoons (The Transition Season)

● The months of October-November form a period of transition from hot rainy season to dry
winter conditions.
● The retreat of the monsoon is marked by clear skies and rise in temperature.

● While day temperatures are high, nights are cool and pleasant.

● Owing to the conditions of high temperature and humidity, the weather becomes rather
oppressive during the day. This is commonly known as ‘October heat’. In the second half of
October, the mercury begins to fall rapidly in northern India.

Distribution of Rainfall
1. Parts of the western coast and northeastern India receive over about 400 cm of rainfall
annually.
2. Rainfall is less than 60 cm in western Rajasthan and adjoining parts of Gujarat, Haryana and
Punjab.
3. Rainfall is low in the interior of the Deccan plateau, and east of the Sahyadris.
4. Snowfall is restricted to the Himalayan region.
 5. The annual rainfall is highly variable from year to year.

Monsoon as a Unifying Bond IMP

The unifying influence of the monsoon on the Indian subcontinent is quite noticeable.

● The seasonal alteration of the wind systems and the associated weather conditions provide
a rhythmic cycle of seasons.
● The uncertainties of rain and uneven distribution are very much typical of the monsoons.

● Year after year, people of India from north to south and from east to west, eagerly await the
arrival of the monsoon. Its animal and plant life, and the entire agricultural calendar and
people’s lives including their festivities.
● These monsoon winds bind the whole country by providing water to set the agricultural
activities in motion.
● The river valleys which carry this water also unite as a single river valley unit.