Climate
Climate refers to the sum total of weather conditions and
variations over a large area for a long period of time.
Weather changes from day to day, but climate is the average of
weather conditions over many years.
India has a monsoon type of climate, mainly influenced by the
seasonal reversal of winds.
Climatic Controls
The climate of India is controlled by the following factors:
1. Latitude
o Tropic of Cancer (23°30′N) passes almost through the middle
of India.
o India lies in the tropical and subtropical regions.
2. Altitude
o Temperature decreases with increase in height.
o Mountains have cooler climates compared to plains.
3. Pressure and Wind System
o Seasonal changes in pressure cause seasonal reversal of
winds.
o This leads to the monsoon.
4. Distance from the Sea
o Coastal areas have moderate climate.
o Interior areas have extreme climate.
5. Ocean Currents
o Ocean currents influence the temperature of coastal areas.
6. Relief
o Himalayas block cold winds from Central Asia.
o Western Ghats cause heavy rainfall on the western coast.
The Indian Monsoon
The word monsoon is derived from the Arabic word ‘mausim’,
meaning season.
Monsoon refers to the seasonal reversal in the direction of
winds.
It brings about a distinct seasonal pattern in rainfall.
Mechanism of the Monsoon
During summer, land heats up faster than sea.
Low pressure develops over northwestern India.
Moist winds from the Indian Ocean move towards land.
These winds bring rainfall.
Onset and Advance of the Monsoon
The monsoon arrives at Kerala around 1st June.
It spreads over the entire country by mid-July.
The sudden increase in rainfall is known as the ‘burst of the
monsoon’.
Distribution of Rainfall
Very heavy rainfall:
o Western coastal plains
o Northeastern states
Moderate rainfall:
o Northern plains
o Eastern plateau regions
Low rainfall:
o Rajasthan
o Ladakh
o Interior Deccan Plateau
Rain shadow areas receive very little rainfall.
Retreating / North-East Monsoon
Begins in October.
Winds move from land to sea.
Causes rainfall on the eastern coast of India, especially Tamil
Nadu.
Associated with cyclones.
Seasons of India
India has four main seasons, mainly based on temperature, pressure,
winds and rainfall.
1. Cold Weather Season (Winter)
(December to February)
Begins from mid-November and lasts till February.
December and January are the coldest months.
Temperature decreases from south to north.
Days are pleasant, nights are cold.
Frost occurs in the northern plains.
Light rainfall is caused by western disturbances.
This rainfall is important for rabi crops like wheat.
Tamil Nadu coast receives rainfall from north-east trade winds.
2. Hot Weather Season (Summer)
(March to May)
Begins in March and lasts till May.
Temperature rises rapidly; May is the hottest month.
High temperatures in north-western India.
Hot and dry winds called loo blow in northern plains.
Local storms occur:
o Kalbaisakhi in West Bengal and Assam.
o Mango showers in Kerala and Karnataka, useful for ripening
mangoes.
Low pressure develops over north-western India.
3. South-West Monsoon Season (Rainy
Season)
(June to September)
Monsoon arrives at Kerala around 1st June.
It covers the entire country by mid-July.
Sudden heavy rainfall is called the burst of the monsoon.
Winds blow from sea to land.
Two branches:
o Arabian Sea Branch
o Bay of Bengal Branch
Heavy rainfall in:
o Western Ghats
o North-eastern states
Rainfall decreases from east to west in the northern plains.
Agriculture in India is highly dependent on this season.
4. Retreating Monsoon Season (North-East
Monsoon)
(October to November)
Monsoon begins to withdraw from northern India in October.
Winds change direction from land to sea.
Weather becomes clear and pleasant.
High temperature and humidity cause ‘October heat’.
Cyclones occur in the Bay of Bengal.
Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and parts of Odisha receive rainfall.
El Niño
El Niño is a weather phenomenon.
It refers to the warming of surface waters of the Pacific Ocean.
It weakens the Indian monsoon.
May cause droughts and irregular rainfall.
Importance of Monsoon
Indian agriculture is highly dependent on monsoon rainfall.
It affects:
o Agriculture
o Water supply
o Vegetation
o Economy
Season Months Main Features
Cold, western
Winter Dec–Feb
disturbances
Summer Mar–May High temperature, loo
SW Monsoon Jun–Sep Heavy rainfall
Cyclones, N-E
Retreating Monsoon Oct–Nov
monsoon