📘 Chapter 7 – Climate of India
1. Introduction
Weather → short-term atmospheric condition (day-to-day).
Climate → average weather condition over a long period (about 30–35 years).
India’s climate = monsoon type with regional variations.
The word monsoon comes from the Arabic mausim meaning season.
2. Factors Affecting Climate of India
1. Latitude
o Tropic of Cancer (23°30′ N) divides India into:
Tropical south (hot, humid).
Temperate north (cooler winters).
2. Altitude
o Himalayas prevent cold winds from Central Asia.
o Hill stations (e.g. Shimla, Ooty) have cooler climate than nearby plains.
3. Distance from the Sea
o Coastal areas (Mumbai, Chennai) → equable climate (small temperature difference).
o Interior areas (Delhi, Nagpur) → continental climate (hot summers, cold winters).
4. Relief Features
o Himalayas block icy winds from the north.
o Western Ghats → receive heavy rainfall on windward side, but leeward side (Deccan
Plateau) is in rain shadow.
5. Monsoon Winds
o Southwest Monsoon → brings bulk of rainfall (June–Sept).
o Northeast Monsoon → brings winter rainfall to Tamil Nadu.
6. Western Disturbances
o Winds from Mediterranean Sea bring winter rainfall to north-west India (Punjab,
Haryana).
7. Jet Streams
o Strong air currents in upper atmosphere.
o Westerly jet stream influences winter climate; easterly jet stream influences
monsoon onset.
3. Seasons in India
India has four main seasons:
(a) Winter Season (December–February)
North India: cold, foggy, temp ~ 10–15°C.
South India: mild, temp ~ 20–25°C.
Rainfall due to western disturbances in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal.
(b) Hot Weather Season / Summer (March–May)
Rising temperature → 35–45°C in north plains.
Loo: hot dry winds in north-west India.
Pre-monsoon showers in Kerala (Mango showers), Karnataka (Blossom showers).
(c) Southwest Monsoon Season (June–September)
Caused by intense low pressure over north India.
Divided into two branches:
o Arabian Sea branch: heavy rain in Western Ghats, Gujarat, Rajasthan.
o Bay of Bengal branch: moves towards north-east, then towards Ganga plains.
Unequal rainfall: Meghalaya → very heavy (Mawsynram = world’s wettest place), Rajasthan
→ scanty.
(d) Retreating Monsoon / Northeast Monsoon (October–November)
Monsoon winds withdraw from north-west India.
Tamil Nadu & Andhra Pradesh → get rainfall (winds pick up moisture from Bay of Bengal).
High humidity, cyclones in Bay of Bengal.
4. Distribution of Rainfall in India
Heavy rainfall areas (>200 cm): Western coast, North-east India.
Moderate rainfall areas (100–200 cm): Ganga plain, eastern plateau.
Low rainfall areas (50–100 cm): Deccan plateau, interior Karnataka, Gujarat.
Arid areas (<50 cm): Rajasthan desert, Leh-Ladakh.
5. Characteristics of Indian Monsoon
Seasonal reversal of winds (summer = sea to land, winter = land to sea).
Irregular: varies in arrival, duration, withdrawal.
Orographic rainfall: windward side = heavy rain, leeward side = dry.
Break in monsoon: dry spells even in rainy season.
Unequal rainfall distribution → floods in some areas, drought in others.
6. Importance of Monsoon
Source of water for agriculture (60% of Indian farmers depend on it).
Fills rivers, reservoirs, groundwater.
Affects hydroelectric power generation.
Determines cropping pattern (Kharif & Rabi).
Influences economy, festivals, lifestyle.
7. Problems due to Monsoon
Late or weak monsoon → drought, crop failure, water scarcity.
Excess rainfall → floods, destruction of crops, loss of life/property.
Uneven distribution → regional imbalances.