Chapter 4 – Climate
1. Define climate.
Ans. The climate refers to the sum total of weather conditions and variations over a large area
for a long period of time.
Example: India has a subtropical climate.
2. Define weather.
Ans. Weather refers to the state of the atmosphere over an area at any point of time.
3. Name any two elements of weather and climate.
Ans. Temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind, humidity, and precipitation. (Any two)
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4. Why do the Monsoon winds change their direction? [CBSE 2014]
Ans. During summer, a low-pressure area develops over interior Asia and northwestern India.
This causes a complete reversal of wind direction during summer.
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5. Name any two areas affected by tropical cyclones in India.
Ans. Coastal areas of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
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6. What is the name given to the climate of India?
Ans. The Monsoon or Subtropical climate.
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7. Mention any two features of Indian Monsoon. [CBSE 2015]
Ans.
(i) The duration of the monsoon is about 100–120 days from early June to mid-September.
(ii) The monsoon usually reaches the southern tip of India by the first week of June.
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8. Which winds are responsible for the bulk of rainfall in India?
Ans. The South-West Monsoon winds.
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9. “Hilly areas are cooler than the plains.” Give reason.
Ans. As altitude increases, the atmosphere becomes thinner and less dense, causing a
decrease in temperature.
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10. Why has Jaipur a higher annual range of temperature than Mumbai?
Ans. The sea exerts a moderating influence on climate. As the distance from the sea increases,
its moderating influence decreases, and people experience extreme weather conditions. Jaipur,
being far from the sea, has a higher annual range of temperature than Mumbai, which lies on
the coast.
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11. What are the 'retreating monsoons'?
Ans. During October and November, the temperature in the Northern Plains begins to decrease,
causing pressure to rise. The low pressure is no longer strong enough to attract monsoon
winds, resulting in the retreat of the monsoon.
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12. Define rain shadow area.
Ans. A rain shadow area is a dry region on one side of a mountain (the leeward side) where
winds lose their moisture while ascending the windward side.
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13. Name two states where mango showers are common.
Ans. Kerala and Karnataka.
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14. Name two states on the eastern coast frequently struck by tropical cyclones.
Ans. Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
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15. Define trade winds.
Ans. Trade winds are permanent winds that blow from the sub-tropical high-pressure belts
towards the equatorial low-pressure belts.
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16. Which is the wettest place on Earth?
Ans. Mawsynram, located in the southern ranges of the Khasi Hills in Meghalaya, receives the
highest average rainfall in the world.
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17. Why does Mumbai receive more rainfall in summer season while Chennai receives rainfall in
winter?
Ans.
Mumbai is situated on the Arabian Sea and receives all its rainfall from the Arabian Sea branch
of the South-West Monsoon during June to September (summer season).
Chennai lies on the Bay of Bengal coast and receives most of its rainfall from the retreating
monsoon winds during October to December (winter season).
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18. Why do the Western Ghats receive more rainfall than the Eastern Ghats?
Ans.
(i) The Western Ghats receive moisture-laden winds from the Arabian Sea.
(ii) These winds strike the western slopes, forcing them to shed moisture and cause heavy
rainfall.
(iii) By the time the winds reach the Eastern Ghats, they have already lost most of their
moisture, so the rainfall is low there.
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19. Why are the parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and the leeward side of the Western Ghats
drought-prone?
Ans.
(i) In Rajasthan, the Aravalli Range lies parallel to the monsoon winds, preventing condensation
and rainfall.
(ii) Gujarat has no significant mountains to intercept moist winds.
(iii) The leeward side of the Western Ghats receives less rainfall because the descending air
becomes warm and dry, reducing humidity and preventing rain.
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20. Explain the 'breaks in rainfall' phenomenon associated with the monsoon.
Ans.
(i) Monsoon rainfall has wet and dry spells — rains occur for a few days and then stop for some
time.
(ii) These breaks are caused by shifts in the monsoon trough northward or southward.
(iii) When the trough lies over the plains, rainfall increases; when it shifts towards the
Himalayas, the plains experience dry spells while hill areas get more rain.
(iv) The monsoon withdraws from most parts of India by early December.
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21. Explain the withdrawal or retreat of the monsoon.
Ans.
(i) The withdrawal of the monsoon is a gradual process.
(ii) It starts from northwestern India in early September.
(iii) By mid-October, it withdraws completely from northern India.
(iv) From the southern peninsula, withdrawal is rapid and completes by December to early
January.
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22. Name the months which are known for the retreating monsoon. Mention two features of this
climate.
Ans.
The retreating monsoon occurs from September to October.
Features:
(i) High temperatures with calm and gentle winds.
(ii) Cloudless skies — days remain hot, but nights become pleasant.
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23. Discuss the factors which influence the climate of India. [CBSE March 2012, 2013]
Ans.
(i) The Himalayan Mountain Chain: It protects the Indian subcontinent from cold winds of
Central Asia and creates a barrier before the South-West Monsoon.
(ii) Western Disturbances: These originate over the Mediterranean Sea and cause rainfall in
north-west India.
(iii) Low Pressure Region of Central Asia and Tibet: During summer, low pressure is formed
over Central Asia and Tibet, which induces a burst of monsoon in India.
(iv) Latitude: The Tropic of Cancer passes through the middle of India, dividing it into tropical
and sub-tropical zones. Hence, India experiences characteristics of both climates.
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24. Describe how the location and relief are important factors in determining the climate of India.
Ans.
(i) India lies between 8°4'N and 37°6'N latitude and 68°7'E to 97°25'E longitude. The Tropic of
Cancer divides the country into two parts.
(ii) Being near the Equator, India has a tropical climate.
(iii) The Himalayas protect India from cold northern winds.
(iv) The sea on three sides moderates the climate.
(v) Water bodies act as moisture sources.
(vi) Due to relief differences, hilly areas have low temperature while plains experience high
temperature.
(vii) Mountains force moist winds to rise and cause rain.
25. Describe the cold weather season of India with respect to the following:
(a) Duration: Mid-November to February; December and January are coldest months.
(b) Atmosphere: Days are warm and nights are cold; high pressure over land and low pressure
over oceans.
(c) Prevailing Winds: North-East trade winds blow from land to sea; mostly dry.
(d) Rainfall: Generally dry, except Tamil Nadu coast (receives rain from NE winds) and parts of
north India (due to western disturbances).