Climate

Climate
Climate refers to the sum of total weather conditions and variation over a large
are for a long period of time. Its data is based on calculated average. Its elements
are atmospheric pressure, winds, temperature, humidity and precipitation.
Weather
It refers to the state of atmosphere over an area at any point of time. Its data is
based on actual observation. Its elements are- atmospheric pressure, wind,
humidity, temperature and precipitation.
CLIMATE IN INDIA
The climate of India is described as the monsoon type. In Asia this type of climate
is mainly found in south and southeast.
MONSOON
Monsoon refers to the seasonal reversal in the wind direction during the year.
FACTORS AFFECTING CLIMATE CONTROL
There are six major controls of climate at any place. They are- Latitude, altitude,
pressure and wind system, distance from the sea.
Due to the curvature of earth, the amount of solar energy received varies
according to latitude. As a result air pressure generally decreases from the
equator towards the pole. As one goes from the surface of the earth to higher
altitudes the atmosphere becomes less dense and temperature decreases. The
hill is therefore cooler during summers. The pressure and wind system of any
area depends on the latitude and altitude of the place.
Thus it influences on climate. As the distance from the sea increases, its
moderating influence decreases and the people experience extreme weather
condition. This condition is known as continentality. Ocean currents along with
onshore winds affect the climate at any coastal area with warm or cold currents
flowing past it, will be warmed or cooled if the winds are onshore Finally relief too
plays a major role in determining the climate of a place.
High mountains act as a barrier from cold or hot winds; they may even cause
precipitation if they are high enough and lie in the path of rain- bearing winds.
The leeward side remains relatively dry.
MECHANISM OF MONSOON
The monsoon are experienced in the tropical area roughly between 20°N and
20°S. To understand the mechanism of monsoon the following facts are
important:-
 ➢ The differential heating and cooling of land and water creates low pressure
on the landmass of India while the seas around experience comparatively
high pressure
➢ The shift of the position of Inter tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) in
Summer over the Ganga is the equatorial trough normally positioned about
5°N of the equator. It is also known as the monsoon trough during the
monsoon season.
➢ The presence of high pressure area, east of Madagascar, approximately at
20°S over the Indian Ocean. The intensity and the position of the high
pressure area affect the Indian monsoon.
➢ The Tibetan plateau gets intensely heated during summer, which results in
strong vertical air currents and the formation of low pressure over the
plateau at about 9000 m above the sea level.
➢ The movement of westerly jet stream to the north of the Himalayas and the
presence of the tropical easterly jet stream over the Indian peninsula
during summer.
MAIN FEATURES OF MONSOON
The monsoon unlike trades, are not steady winds but are pulsating in nature,
affected by different atmospheric conditions, encountered by it, on its way over to
the warm tropical seas. The duration of the monsoon is between 100-120 days,
from early June to mid-September.
Around the time of its arrival, the normal rainfall increases suddenly and
continues constantly for several days. This is known as the bust of monsoon and
can distinguished from pre-monsoon showers. The monsoon arrives at the
southern tip of the indian peninsula, generally by the first week of June.
Subsequently it proceeds only two -: the Arabian Sea branch reaches Mumbai
about 10 days later on 10th of
June.
MAJOR SEASONS
There are 2 major seasons namely:
• COLD WEATHER SEASON (WINTER) Advancing Monsoon (Rainy
Season)
• HOT WEATHER SEASON (SUMMER) Retreating / Post Monsoon (Transfer
Season)
COLD WEATHER SEASON (WINTER)
• SEASON
The cold weather season begins from mid-November in northern India and stavs
till February. December and January are the coldest months of northern India.
• TEMPERATURE
The temperature decreases from south to north. The average temperature of
Chennai on the eastern coast is between 24°C -25°C
while in the northern plains, it ranges between 10°C-15°C.
•CONDITION OF THE SKY
Days are warm and the nights are cold. Frost is common in the North and higher
slopes of Himalayas experience snowfall.
• NORTH-EAST TRADE
During this season, the north-east trade winds prevail over the country. They
blow from land to sea and hence for the most parts of the country it is a dry
season.
• PRESSURE
In the northern part of the country, a feeble high pressure region develops, with
light winds moving outwards from this area. Influenced by the relief, these winds
blow through the'Ganga valley from the west and the northwest.
• CYCLONIC DISTURBANCES
characteristics features over the cold weather season over the northern plain are
the inflow of cyclonic disturbances from the west and the northwest. These low
pressure systems originates over the Mediterranean Sea and western Asia and
move to India, along with the westerly flow
• IMPORTANCE OF MAHAVAT
Although the total amount of winter rainfall locally known as Mahavat is small,
they are of immense importance for the cultivation of Rabi crops.
HOT WEATHER SEASON (SUMMER)
• SEASON/MONTH
March to May
• TEMPERATURE
in March the highest temperature is about 38 degree Celsius. In Mav the
temperature of 45 degree Celsius is common in the north-western paris of the
country, In peninsular India temperatures remain low due to moderating
influence.
• AIR PRESSURE
The summer months experience rising temperature but falling air pressure in the
northern part of the country. Towards the end of May an elongated low pressure
area develops from the Thar Desert to Patna and to Chota Nagpur Plateau and in
the east and in the southeast.
• STRIKING FEATURES
A striking feature of hot weather season is the loo. These are strong, gusty, hot,
dry winds blowing during the day over the north and north in the north part of the
country, a feeble high pressure region develops, with light winds moving
outwards from this arga. Influenced by the relief, these winds blow through the
Ganga valley from the west and the northwest
• CYCLONIC DISTURBANCES
its characteries over the cold weather season over the
northern plain are the inflow of cyclonic disturbances from the west and the north
west. These low pressure systems originates over the Mediterranean See and
western Asia and move to India, along with the westerly flow
• IMPORTANCE OF MAHAVAT
Although the total amount of winter rainfall locally known as Mahavat is small
they are of immense importance for the cultivation of Rabi
crops
HOT WEATHER SEASON (SUMMER)
• SEASON/MONTH
March to May
• TEMPERATURE
in March the highest temperature is about 38 degree Celsius. in May the
temperature of 45degree Celsius is common in the north-western parts of the
country. In peninsular India temperatures remain low due to moderating
influence.
• AIR PRESSURE
The summer months experience rising temperature but falling air pressure in the
northern part of the country. Towards the end of Mav an elongated low pressure
area develops from the Thar Desert to Patna and to Chota Nagpur Plateau and in
the east and in the southeast.
• STRIKING FEATURES
A striking feature of hot weather season is the loo. These are strong, gusty, hot,
dry winds blowing during the day over the north and north western mole.
Sometimes they even continue until late in the evening.
Direct exposure to this wind may even prove to be fatal. Dust storms are most
com on during the month of May in northern india. These storms bring relief and
lower the temperature and may bring light rain and cool breeze. This is also the
season associated for thunderstorms associated with violent winds, torrential
downpours. In West Bengal these storms known as the 'Kaal Baisakhi'.
IMPORTANCE OF MANGO SHOWERS
Towards the se of the summer season, pre-monsoon showers are common
especially in Kerala and Karnataka. They help in early ripening oi mangoes and
are often referred as mango showers.
MONSOON AS A UNIFYING BOND
The Himalayas protect the subcontinent from extremely cold winds from Central
Asia. This enables Northern India to have uniformly higher temperatures when
compared to other areas on the same
attitude. Similar, the Peninsular Plateau under the influence of the sea from these
sides has moderate temperatures. Despite such moderating influences there are
great variations in the temperature conditions. Nevertheless, the unifying
influence of monsoon in the Indian subcontinent is quite perceptible.

QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE ABOVE NOTES