ICSE Class 10 Geography – Chapter 7: Climate
📚 Based on Morning Star Total Geography (Latest
Syllabus)
📌 Note: El Niño is not part of the ICSE syllabus, so it
is excluded.
📍 Meaning of Climate and Weather
Term Definition
The atmospheric condition of a place for a
Weather
short period (e.g., a day).
The average weather condition of a place over
Climate
a long period (30–35 years).
🌍 Factors Affecting the Climate of India
1. Latitude
India lies between 8°N and 37°N.
The Tropic of Cancer (23½°N) passes through the
middle of the country.
This causes the north to experience subtropical
climate and south to have tropical climate.
📌 Example: Chennai (south of Tropic of Cancer) has a
warmer climate than Delhi.
2. Altitude
Temperature decreases with height (~1°C for every
165 m).
Hilly areas have cooler climates than plains.
📌 Example: Shimla (2,200 m) is cooler than Ludhiana
(plains).
3. Distance from the Sea (Continentality)
Coastal areas experience moderate temperature
due to the sea's influence.
Interiors experience extreme climate (hot
summers, cold winters).
📌 Example: Mumbai (coastal) has equable climate;
Nagpur (interior) has extreme climate.
4. Himalayas
Acts as a barrier to cold winds from Central Asia.
Prevents freezing conditions in north India.
Also causes heavy orographic rainfall on
windward slopes.
5. Monsoon Winds
Seasonal reversal of winds.
Southwest Monsoon brings rainfall (June–
September).
Northeast Monsoon (October–November) brings
rainfall to southeast coast.
6. Jet Streams
High-altitude, fast-flowing winds in the upper
atmosphere.
Influence the onset and withdrawal of monsoon.
Also bring Western Disturbances in winter to
northwest India.
☀️Seasons of India (As per Indian Meteorological
Department)
1. Cold Weather Season (Mid-November to
February)
Cool and dry.
High pressure over land.
Western Disturbances bring light rainfall in North
India.
📌 Example: Amritsar has foggy mornings in January.
2. Hot Weather Season (March to May)
Increasing temperature.
Low pressure develops over north India.
Loo (hot dry winds) blow in the northwest.
📌 Example: Temperatures in Delhi often reach above
45°C.
3. Southwest Monsoon Season (June to September)
Low pressure attracts moisture-laden winds from
the Indian Ocean.
Two branches:
o Arabian Sea branch (strikes Western Ghats).
o Bay of Bengal branch (strikes northeast
India).
Causes 80% of India’s rainfall.
📌 Example: Mawsynram in Meghalaya receives the
highest rainfall.
4. Retreating Monsoon Season (October to
November)
Land cools down faster than the sea.
Winds reverse direction (from land to sea).
Rainfall in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh due to
Northeast Monsoon.
📌 Example: Chennai receives most rainfall in this
season.
Types of Rainfall in India
Type Cause Example
Moist winds rise
Orographic Western Ghats
over mountains
Intense heating Pre-monsoon showers
Convectional
of land in Bengal (Kalbaisakhi)
Low-pressure Winter rainfall in
Cyclonic systems and Punjab (Western
cyclones Disturbances)
Rainfall Distribution in India
High Rainfall: Western Ghats, Assam, Meghalaya.
Moderate Rainfall: Northern plains, eastern
coastal areas.
Low Rainfall: Rajasthan, Gujarat, Ladakh (below
25 cm/year).
📌 Example: Rajasthan lies in rain shadow of Aravallis.
Climatic Regions of India
Region Climate Type Areas Covered
High rainfall, West coast,
Tropical Wet
humid Northeast
Tropical Wet & Distinct dry &
Central India
Dry wet
Arid & Semi-
Very low rainfall Rajasthan, Gujarat
Arid
Mountain Cold temperatures Himalayas
Region Climate Type Areas Covered
Climate
📝 Probable Long Answer Questions
1. Explain the factors affecting the climate of India.
(Already explained above)
2. Describe the mechanism and characteristics of the
Southwest Monsoon.
Answer Highlights:
Formation of low pressure in North India.
Moist winds from Arabian Sea & Bay of Bengal.
Orographic rain on windward slopes.
Uneven distribution of rainfall.
Retreat of monsoon in October.
🔍 Important Terms
Monsoon – Seasonal reversal of winds.
Rain Shadow – Dry area on the leeward side of
mountains.
Jet Streams – High-altitude winds that influence
monsoons.
Loo – Hot, dry wind in north India in summer.
Kalbaisakhi – Local thunderstorm in Bengal
during summer.
Western Disturbances – Winds from the
Mediterranean that cause winter rain in NW India.