SST Climate
Textbook
2.i
There are 6 major controls of the climate of any place.
They are : latitude, altitude, pressure and wind system, distance from the sea (continentality),
ocean currents and relief features.
ii. Why …monsoon-type climate?
Ans: India comes in the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and together with factors such
as El Nino, Coriolis Force, and Jet Streams, India gets a unique type of climate which is called
the Monsoon type of climate in India.
iii. Which part of India experience….
Ans: The North-western part of India experiences the highest diurnal range of temperature as it
receives the least amount of rainfall and also it is also away from the sea. So, the temperatures
go to the extreme in this part of India.
(iv) Which winds …..Malabar Coast?
Ans:Southwest monsoon winds are responsible for rainfall along the Malabar Coast.
V. Define monsoon ……
Ans:A monsoon is a seasonal reversal in the wind direction during a year that brings heavy
rainfall.
A "break" in the monsoon refers to a period of temporary dryness with reduced rainfall during
the monsoon season, where the usual heavy rains are interrupted by rainless intervals.
vi. Textbook
3. Why does the rainfall decreas…
Ans: The rainfall in the eastern part of India occurs due to the Bay of Bengal branch of
southwest monsoons. As the winds move from Bengal to the Gangetic plains, their moisture
content decreases, and by the time they reach the Punjab region, they are almost dry. So, a
decrease is seen in the amount of rainfall from east to west.
4. Give reasons as to why.
(i). Seasonal reversal.....
Ans: The seasonal reversal of wind direction over the Indian subcontinent takes place due to
pressure differences. The El Nino also plays a major role in the seasonal reversal of wind
direction over the Indian subcontinent.
ii. The bulk of....
Ans: The monsoon season begins in India in June and by mid-July, it covers almost all of the
Indian Subcontinent. The retreat of monsoons begins in September and not much rainfall occurs
after that. Hence, in the Indian subcontinent, the rainfall is concentrated over a few months.
iii. The Tamil Nadu...
Ans: The Tamil Nadu coast, known as the Coromandel Coast receives winter rainfall as the
north-eastern winds, which are retreating monsoon winds take up moisture as they move over
the Bay of Bengal during winters and pour the rains due to obstruction from the Eastern Ghats.
Since the Coromandel Coast falls on the windward side, it gets winter rainfall.
IV. The delta region.....
Ans: The Bay of Bengal is the centre of various pressure changes so many cyclones develop in
this region. Hence, the delta region of the Bay of Bengal witnessed multiple cyclones.
(v). Parts of Rajasthan,..
Ans. : The Arabian Sea branch does not give enough rainfall in that region as it falls on the
leeward side.
The Aravalli mountains lie parallel to the direction of the winds so they do not force the winds to
cause rains. Also, the Bay of Bengal branch becomes dry till it reaches Rajasthan.
5,6, In textbook
7. Characteristics of Monsoon Rainfall
•Seasonal rainfall – Most of India’s rain comes between June and September.
•Irregular rainfall – Monsoon rains are uneven and uncertain.
•Sudden onset – It arrives with a burst and brings heavy rainfall.
•Breaks in rainfall – There are wet and dry spells during the monsoon.
•Regional differences – Some places get very heavy rain (e.g., Meghalaya), while others get
very little (e.g., Rajasthan).
Effects of Monsoon Rainfall :
•Supports agriculture – Most Indian farmers depend on monsoon for crop growth.
•Affects economy – Good monsoon means better harvest, poor monsoon causes crop failure.
•Causes floods – Heavy rainfall often leads to floods in many states.
•Can cause droughts – Weak monsoon leads to water shortage and drought.
•Influences daily life – Monsoons affect transport, water supply, and power generation.
UER sec B
9. Climate is the average weather condition of a place measured over a long period of time,
usually 30 years or more.
10. The burst of monsoon refers to the sudden and intense onset of rainfall in India when the
monsoon arrives, bringing heavy downpour after a long summer.
11.•Western Disturbances are winds that come from the Mediterranean region to India in winter.
•They bring light rain and snowfall to north-west India and the western Himalayas.
•This rainfall is useful for rabi crops like wheat.
12.•Monsoon winds change their direction during a year.
•It is seasonal, occurring mainly from June to September.
•Rainfall is uneven—some places get more, some get less rainfall.
•Monsoon comes with a sudden burst bringing heavy rain.
13. •The Monsoon Trough develops as a low-pressure area over north and northwest India
during the monsoon season.
•It shifts north and south during the season.
•When the trough is closer to the Himalayas, it brings heavy rainfall in the northern plains.
•When it moves southward, rainfall increases over the peninsular region. •Thus, its movement
controls the distribution and intensity of monsoon rainfall.
[Link] Heat refers to the high temperature and humidity in October after the monsoon
withdraws. Clear skies and intense sunlight cause extreme heat during this period.
15. •By the beginning of October, the monsoon withdraws from the Northern plains.
•It is marked by clear skies and high temperatures.
• It is a period of transition from hot rainy season to dry winter condition.
• Day temperatures are high, nights are cool and pleasant.
•The season is marked by high temperature and humid days known as October Heat.
•The east coast, especially Tamil Nadu, receives rainfall from the northeast monsoon winds.
16. Factors Affecting India’s Climate:
•Latitude: The Tropic of Cancer passes through middle of the country, so India's climate has
characteristics of both tropical and sub tropical climates.
•India is located in the tropics, so it receives more solar energy, making the climate generally
hot.
•Altitude: Higher areas like the Himalayas are cooler, while plains and coastal areas are warmer.
•Distance from the Sea: Coastal areas have moderate climate, while interior regions have
extreme temperatures.
•Pressure and Winds: Seasonal winds (like monsoons) affect rainfall and temperature.
•Relief (Mountains and Plateaus): Mountains block winds, affecting rainfall; for example, the
Western Ghats cause heavy rainfall on the western side.
•Ocean Currents: Warm and cold currents influence coastal temperatures.
17. India has diverse climatic conditions because the climate varies from region to region.
Temperature example:
•In Rajasthan (Thar Desert), summers are extremely hot with temperatures reaching around
50°C.
•In Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, winters are very cold with temperatures falling
below 0°C.
Precipitation example:
•In Cherrapunji and Mawsynram (Meghalaya), rainfall is very high, more than 400 cm.
•In Ladakh and western Rajasthan, rainfall is very low, less than 10 cm.
This shows that India experiences wide variations in both temperature and rainfall, leading to
diverse climatic conditions.