Climate Notes

CLIMATE
Climate refers to the sum total of weather conditions and variations over a large area for a long
period of time (more than thirty years).
Weather refers to the state of the atmosphere over an area at any point of time.
The elements of weather and climate are the same, i.e. temperature, atmospheric pressure,
wind, humidity and precipitation. On the basis of the monthly atmospheric conditions, the year is
divided into seasons such as:
 Winter
 Summer
 Rainy Seasons
Climatic Controls
The climate of any place depends on the following factors:
1) Latitude
The amount of solar energy received varies according to latitude due to the curvature of the
earth. That’s why air temperature generally decreases from the equator towards the poles.
2) Altitude
The atmosphere becomes less dense and temperature decreases when we go to the higher
altitude from the earth surface. This is the reason why hills are cooler during summers.
3) Pressure and wind system
The pressure and wind system of any area depends on the latitude and altitude of the place. It
influences the temperature and rainfall pattern.
4) Distance from the sea
The sea exerts a moderating influence on the climate. As the distance from the sea increases, its
moderating influence decreases and people experience extreme weather conditions. This
condition is known as continentality i.e. very hot during summers and very cold during winters.
5) Ocean currents
Ocean currents along with onshore winds affect the climate of the coastal areas. For example,
any coastal area with warm or cold currents flowing past it, will be warmed or cooled if the winds
are onshore.
6) Relief features
Relief plays a major role in determining the climate of a place. High mountains act as barriers for
cold or hot winds. They may also cause precipitation if they are high enough and lie in the path of
rain-bearing winds. Precipitation is any form of moisture which falls to the earth. It includes rain,
snow, hail and sleet.
Factors Affecting India’s Climate

Latitude
The Tropic of Cancer passes through the middle of the country from the Rann of Kachchh in the
west to Mizoram in the east. India’s climate has characteristics of tropical as well as subtropical
climates.
Altitude
India has mountains to the north and also has a vast coastal area where the maximum elevation
is about 30 metres. Owing to the mountains, subcontinent experiences comparatively milder
winters as compared to central Asia.
Pressure and Winds

The climate and weather conditions in India are governed by the following atmospheric
conditions:
 Pressure and surface winds

 Upper air circulation
 Western cyclonic disturbances and tropical cyclones
Air moves from the high-pressure area over the southern Indian Ocean, in a south-easterly
direction, crosses the equator and turns right towards the low-pressure areas over the Indian
subcontinent. These are known as the Southwest Monsoon winds. These winds blow over the
warm oceans, gather moisture and bring widespread rainfall over the territories of India.
Jet streams are fast flowing, narrow, meandering air currents in the atmosphere.
The Indian Monsoon

The climate of India is strongly influenced by monsoon winds. The seasonal reversal of the
wind system is known as “monsoon”. The monsoons are experienced in the tropical area
roughly between 20° N and 20° S. Go through the following facts to understand the mechanism
of the monsoons in a better way:
1. The differential heating and cooling of land and water creates low pressure on the
landmass of India while the seas around experience comparatively high pressure.
2. The shift of the position of Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) in summer, over
the Ganga plain, is also known as the monsoon-trough during the monsoon season.
3. The presence of the high-pressure area, east of Madagascar, approximately at 20°S
over the Indian Ocean affects the Indian Monsoon.
4. The Tibetan plateau gets intensely heated during summer, which results in strong
vertical air currents and the formation of low pressure over the plateau at about 9 km
above sea level.
5. The movement of the westerly jet stream to the north of the Himalayas and
the presence of the tropical easterly jet stream over the Indian peninsula during
summer also impact the Indian Monsoon.
The changes in the pressure conditions over the southern oceans also affect the monsoons. The
irregularly periodic variation in winds and sea surface temperatures over the tropical eastern
Pacific Ocean that affects the climate of the tropics and subtropics is known as Southern
Oscillation or SO.
The Onset of the Monsoon and Withdrawal

The duration of the monsoon is between 100-120 days from early June to mid-September.
Around the time of its arrival, the normal rainfall increases suddenly and continues constantly for
several days, which is known as the “burst” of the monsoon.
Arrival of the Monsoon in different parts of India

The monsoon arrives at the southern tip of the Indian peninsula generally by the 1st week of
June. Subsequently, it proceeds into two – the Arabian Sea branch and the Bay of Bengal
branch.
 The Arabian Sea branch reaches Mumbai on approximately the 10th of June.
 The Bay of Bengal branch arrives in Assam in the 1st week of June.
 By mid-June, the Arabian Sea branch of the monsoon arrives over Saurashtra-Kuchchh
and the central part of the country.
 The Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal branches of the monsoon merge over the
northwestern part of the Ganga plains.
 Delhi receives the monsoon showers from the Bay of Bengal branch by the end of June.
 By the first week of July, western Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and eastern Rajasthan
experience the monsoon.
 By mid-July, the monsoon reaches Himachal Pradesh and the rest of the country.
Withdrawal of the Monsoon

The withdrawal of the monsoon begins in north western states of India by early September. By
mid-October, it withdraws completely from the northern half of the peninsula. From north to the
south, withdrawal of monsoon takes place from the first week of December to the first week of
January. By early December, the monsoon has withdrawn from the rest of the country.
The Seasons
4 main seasons can be identified in India:
1. The cold weather season (Winter)

2. The hot weather season (Summer)
3. The advancing monsoon (Rainy Season)
4. The retreating monsoon with some regional variations (Transition Season)
Let’s discuss each of them in detail:
The Cold Weather Season (Winter)

Winter begins from mid-November in northern India and stays till February.
 December and January are the coldest months in the northern part of India.
 The temperature decreases from south to the north.
 Days are warm and nights are cold.
 The weather is marked by clear sky, low temperatures and low humidity and feeble,
variable winds.
 This season is extremely important for the cultivation of ‘rabi’ crops.
The Hot Weather Season (Summer)

From March to May, hot weather season is observed in India. The summer months experience
rising temperature and falling air pressure in the northern part of the country. A striking feature of
the hot weather season is the ‘loo’. Loo is the strong, gusty, hot, dry winds blowing during the
day over the north and north western India.
Towards the close of the summer season, pre-monsoon showers come which help in the
early ripening of mangoes, and are often referred to as ‘mango showers’.
Advancing Monsoon (The Rainy Season)

South-east trade winds originate over the warm subtropical areas of the southern oceans. They
cross the equator and blow in a south westerly direction entering the Indian peninsula as the
south-west monsoon. The monsoon winds cover the country in about a month. Mawsynram in
the southern ranges of the Khasi Hills receives the highest average rainfall in the world.
A phenomenon associated with the monsoon is its tendency to have ‘breaks’ in rainfall. These
breaks in monsoon are related to the movement of the monsoon trough. The trough and its axis
keep on moving northward or southward and determine the spatial distribution of rainfall. The
frequency and intensity of tropical depressions also determine the amount and duration of
monsoon rains. The monsoon is known for its uncertainties. The alternation of dry and wet spells
vary in intensity, frequency and duration.
Retreating/Post Monsoons (The Transition Season)

The months of October-November form a period of transition from hot rainy season to dry winter
conditions. The retreat of the monsoon is marked by clear skies and rise in temperature. While
day temperatures are high, nights are cool and pleasant. Owing to the conditions of high
temperature and humidity, the weather becomes rather oppressive during the day. This is
commonly known as ‘October heat’. In the second half of October, the mercury begins to fall
rapidly in northern India.
Distribution of Rainfall
1. Parts of the western coast and north eastern India receive over about 400 cm of rainfall
annually.
2. Rainfall is less than 60 cm in western Rajasthan and adjoining parts of Gujarat, Haryana
and Punjab.
3. Rainfall is low in the interior of the Deccan plateau, and east of the Sahyadris.
4. Snowfall is restricted to the Himalayan region.
5. The annual rainfall is highly variable from year to year.
Monsoon as a Unifying Bond

The unifying influence of the monsoon on the Indian subcontinent is quite noticeable. The
seasonal alteration of the wind systems and the associated weather conditions provide a
rhythmic cycle of seasons. The uncertainties of rain and uneven distribution are very much
typical of the monsoons. Year after year, people of India from north to south and from east to
west, eagerly await the arrival of the monsoon. These monsoon winds bind the whole country by
providing water to set the agricultural activities in motion.

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CLIMATE

Factors Affecting India’s Climate

Pressure and Winds

 Pressure and surface winds

The Indian Monsoon

The Onset of the Monsoon and Withdrawal

Arrival of the Monsoon in different parts of India

Withdrawal of the Monsoon

1. The cold weather season (Winter)

Let’s discuss each of them in detail:

The Cold Weather Season (Winter)

The Hot Weather Season (Summer)

Advancing Monsoon (The Rainy Season)

Retreating/Post Monsoons (The Transition Season)

Monsoon as a Unifying Bond

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