CLIMATE – CLASS 9 (CBSE 2024–25)
DETAILED EXPANDED NOTES (FULL EXPLANATION)
INTRODUCTION
Climate refers to the long-term average weather pattern of a place over 30 or more years. Weather
is temporary and changes within minutes or hours. Climate, however, shows a consistent pattern
and helps classify regions such as deserts, mountains, coastal areas, and tropical regions. India’s
climate is described as ‘monsoon type’, which is characterized by seasonal reversal of winds and
uneven distribution of rainfall.
-------------------------------------------------------------
1. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WEATHER AND CLIMATE
- Weather: Short-term atmospheric conditions such as temperature, humidity, rainfall, and wind
speed.
- Climate: Long-term average weather pattern of a place over 30+ years.
- Weather changes frequently; climate remains steady over time.
- Weather describes daily events like thunderstorms or a sunny day; climate describes general
patterns like summer season or monsoon.
- India’s climate is influenced by several factors like latitude, altitude, distance from sea, relief,
winds, and ocean currents.
-------------------------------------------------------------
2. CHARACTERISTICS OF INDIA’S CLIMATE
- India has a monsoon type of climate.
- Large variations in temperature: 50°C in Rajasthan, -45°C in Drass (J&K;).
- Uneven distribution of rainfall: >400 cm in Meghalaya, <10 cm in Ladakh.
- Seasonal reversal of winds due to monsoon.
- Great variety of climatic conditions due to size, topography, and location.
-------------------------------------------------------------
3. CLIMATIC CONTROLS (FULL EXPLANATION)
1. Latitude
- India extends from 8°N to 37°N.
- Temperature decreases from the equator towards the poles.
- Southern India (near equator) is warmer; northern India is cooler.
- Regions near Tropic of Cancer experience both tropical and subtropical climates.
2. Altitude
- Temperature decreases with height (approx. 1°C per 165m).
- Places like Shimla, Ooty, and Darjeeling remain cool even during summers.
- Himalayas act as a climatic barrier preventing cold winds from Central Asia.
3. Distance from the Sea (Continentality)
- Coastal areas such as Mumbai, Chennai have moderate climate.
- Inland areas such as Delhi, Rajasthan have extreme climate.
- Land heats and cools faster than water, creating differences between coastal and interior
climates.
4. Pressure and Wind System
- Atmospheric pressure influences wind direction and rainfall.
- High pressure → Low pressure movement of winds affects seasons.
- India’s winds include monsoon winds, local winds (loo), and Western disturbances.
5. Ocean Currents
- Warm currents heat the air above them, making coasts warmer.
- Cold currents cool the air, lowering coastal temperatures.
- Indian Ocean currents influence the monsoon winds.
6. Relief Features
- Mountains, plateaus, and plains affect wind direction and rainfall.
- Himalayas block cold Central Asian winds, making winters milder.
- Western Ghats cause heavy rainfall on windward side and dry rain-shadow regions on leeward
side.
-------------------------------------------------------------
4. FACTORS AFFECTING INDIA’S CLIMATE
1. Latitude
- Tropic of Cancer divides India into tropical and subtropical zones.
- Southern part experiences high temperatures; northern part experiences moderate to low
temperatures.
2. Altitude
- Himalayas protect India from cold winds, creating warmer winters in northern plains.
- Hill stations remain cool throughout the year.
3. Pressure and Winds
Three major components:
a) Pressure and Surface Winds
b) Upper Air Circulation
c) Western Cyclonic Disturbances
- North-east trade winds dominate winters.
- Summer monsoon winds bring rainfall.
4. Upper Air Circulation
- Jet streams influence monsoon arrival and retreat.
- Westerly jet streams bring Western disturbances during winter.
5. Western Disturbances
- Low-pressure systems from Mediterranean Sea.
- Bring winter rainfall to north India.
- Essential for rabi crops.
-------------------------------------------------------------
5. SEASONS IN INDIA (FULL EXPLANATION)
A. Cold Weather Season (Mid-November to February)
- Days are warm; nights are cold.
- Northern regions experience frost and snowfall in Himalayas.
- Western disturbances cause winter rain.
- Weather is generally dry and clear.
B. Hot Weather Season (March to May)
- Shift of heat belt results in high temperatures.
- Loo: hot, dry winds in north India.
- Dust storms and thunderstorms common.
- Mango showers in south India help ripen mangoes.
C. Advancing Monsoon (June to September)
- Low pressure over northern plains attracts southwest monsoon.
- Winds blow at 30 km/h from Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.
- Heavy rainfall over Western Ghats & Northeast India.
- Breaks in monsoon occur due to shifting monsoon trough.
D. Retreating Monsoon (October to November)
- Monsoon winds withdraw from northern plains.
- Tamil Nadu receives most of its rainfall during this season.
- Clear skies, rising temperatures, and high humidity.
-------------------------------------------------------------
REVISION SECTION
A. SHORT QUESTIONS
1. What is meant by monsoon?
2. What are jet streams?
3. Define continentality.
4. Why does Tamil Nadu receive winter rainfall?
5. What causes the ‘loo’?
-------------------------------------------------------------
B. MCQs
1. India’s climate is: (a) Tropical (b) Monsoon (c) Desert → Answer: b
2. Western disturbances originate from: (a) Mediterranean (b) Pacific → a
3. The Loo blows in: (a) Winter (b) Summer → b
4. Mango showers occur in: (a) Kerala (b) Rajasthan → a
5. Retreating monsoon gives rainfall to: (a) Punjab (b) Tamil Nadu → b
-------------------------------------------------------------
C. FILL IN THE BLANKS
1. Climate is studied for at least ______ years. (30)
2. Monsoon winds blow from ______ to ______. (sea, land)
3. ______ blocks cold winds from Central Asia. (Himalayas)
4. Loo blows during the ______ season. (summer)
5. Withdrawal of monsoon starts in ______. (October)
-------------------------------------------------------------
D. LONG QUESTIONS (5 MARKS)
1. Explain any five climatic controls.
- Latitude
- Altitude
- Distance from sea
- Pressure & winds
- Relief features
2. Describe the advancing monsoon.
- Low pressure over north India
- Moisture-laden southwest winds
- Heavy rainfall across India
- Breaks in monsoon
- Orographic rainfall on Western Ghats
3. Explain the hot weather season.
- High temperatures
- Shift of heat belt
- Loo winds
- Dust storms and thunderstorms
- Mango showers
4. Describe the cold weather season.
- Cool temperatures
- Western disturbances
- Clear skies
- Frost in northern India
- Snowfall in Himalayas