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or Class 9 > Class 9 Social Science Notes > Class 9 Geography Notes > Chapter 4 Climate
CBSE Notes Class 9 Geography Chapter
4 - Climate
CBSE Notes Class 9 Geography Chapter 4 Climate Frequently Asked Questions on C
In this chapter, you will learn about the atmospheric conditions of India. By
going through CBSE Notes Class 9 Geography Chapter 4 on Climate, you will
get the answers to many questions, such as why do we wear woollens in
December or why is it hot and uncomfortable in the month of May and why
it rains in June – July? You can also download these notes in pdf for future
reference.
Chapter 4 Climate
CBSE Notes Class 9 Geography Chapter 4 – Climate
Download PDF
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 in
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 a higher altitude from the Earth’s surface. This is the reason why hills
are cooler during summer.
3) Pressure and wind system
The pressure and wind system of any area depend 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 to 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 metres. 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
Air moves from the high-pressure area over the southern Indian Ocean in a
south-easterly direction, crosses the equator and turns right towards the
low-pressure areas over the Indian subcontinent. These are known as the
Southwest Monsoon winds. These winds blow over the warm oceans, gather
moisture and bring widespread rainfall over the territories of India.
Jet streams are fast-flowing, narrow, meandering air currents in the
atmosphere.
The Indian Monsoon
The climate of India is strongly influenced by monsoon winds. The seasonal
reversal of the
wind system is known as “monsoon”. The monsoons are experienced in the
tropical area roughly between 20° N and 20° S. Go through the following
facts to understand the mechanism of the monsoons in a better way:
1. The differential heating and cooling of land and water create a low
pressure on the landmass of India while the seas around experience
comparatively high pressure.
2. The shift of the position of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone
(ITCZ) in summer over the Ganga plain is also known as the monsoon
trough during the monsoon season.
3. The presence of the high-pressure area east of Madagascar,
approximately 20°S over the Indian Ocean, affects the Indian Monsoon.
4. 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 9 km above sea level.
5. The movement of the westerly jet stream to the north of the
Himalayas and the presence of the tropical easterly jet stream over
the Indian peninsula during summer also impact the Indian Monsoon.
The changes in the pressure conditions over the southern oceans also affect
the monsoons. The irregularly periodic variation in winds and sea surface
temperatures over the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean that affects the
climate of the tropics and subtropics is known as Southern Oscillation or SO.
The Onset of the Monsoon and Withdrawal
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, which is known as the
“burst” of the monsoon.
Arrival of the Monsoon in Different Parts of India
The monsoon arrives at the southern tip of the Indian peninsula generally by
the 1st week of June. Subsequently, it proceeds into two – the Arabian Sea
branch and the Bay of Bengal branch.
The Arabian Sea branch reaches Mumbai on approximately the 10th of
June.
The Bay of Bengal branch arrives in Assam in the 1st week of June.
By mid-June, the Arabian Sea branch of the monsoon arrives over
Saurashtra-Kuchchh and the central part of the country.
The Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal branches of the monsoon
merge over the northwestern part of the Ganga plains.
Delhi receives the monsoon showers from the Bay of Bengal branch by
the end of June.
By the first week of July, western Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and
eastern Rajasthan experience the monsoon.
By mid-July, the monsoon reaches Himachal Pradesh and the rest of
the country.
Withdrawal of the Monsoon
The withdrawal of the monsoon begins in the northwestern states of India by
early September. By mid-October, it withdraws completely from the
northern half of the peninsula. From north to south, the withdrawal of
monsoon takes place from the first week of December to the first week of
January. By early December, the monsoon has withdrawn from the rest of
the country.
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 in 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 the 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, a hot weather season is observed in India. The summer
months experience rising temperatures 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
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 southwest monsoon. The
monsoon winds cover the country for 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. These breaks in monsoon are related to the movement of
the monsoon trough. The trough and its axis keep on moving northward or
southward and determine the spatial distribution of rainfall. The
frequency and intensity of tropical depressions also determine the amount
and duration of monsoon rains. The monsoon is known for its uncertainties.
The alternation of dry and wet spells varies 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 a 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
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, the people of India, from north to south and from east to west,
eagerly await the arrival of the monsoon. These monsoon winds bind the
whole country by providing water to set agricultural activities in motion.
We hope CBSE Notes for Class 9 Social Science helped you in your studies.
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Frequently Asked Questions on CBSE Class 9
Geography Notes Chapter 4 Climate
Q1 What is an ocean current?
An ocean current is a continuous movement of ocean water from one
place to another.
Q2 What are the types of wind zones of the Earth?
The Earth contains five major wind zones: polar easterlies, westerlies,
horse latitudes, trade winds and the doldrums.
Q3 What is differential heating?
Differential heating is the disparity in heating of air over land versus
water.
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