Geography

Chapter 4
Climate
 Introduction
ØIn the last two chapters we have read
about the landforms and the drainage
of our country. These are the two of the
three basic elements that one learns
about the natural environment of any
area.
ØIn this chapter you will learn about the
third, that is, the atmospheric
conditions that prevail over our country.

The atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms
of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation.
 Difference between Climate and Weather

Climate Weather
It refers to the sum total Weather refers to the
of weather state of the atmosphere
conditions and variations over an area at any point
over a large area for a of time. The elements of
long period of time. weather and climate are
(more than thirty years). the same.

Climate is recorded for a Weather data are recorded

longer period of time i.e. on daily basis i.e. a few
more than thirty years. hours or a few days.

It is referred to a large area. It is referred to a particular

area.
 The elements of weather and climate are the
ELEMENTS OF WEATHER AND CLIMATE
same

§ Temperature
§ Atmospheric pressure
§ Wind
§ Humidity
§ Precipitation

On the basis of the generalised monthly

atmospheric conditions, the year is
divided into seasons such as winter,
summer or rainy seasons.
 The world is divided into a number of
climatic regions.
Ø Do you know what type of
climate India has and why it is so?

We will learn about it in this chapter.

Do you know?

§ The word monsoon is derived from the

Arabic word ‘mausim’ which literally means
season.
§ ‘Monsoon’ refers to the seasonal reversal in
the wind direction during a year.
The world is divided
into a number of
climatic regions. In
Asia, India and other
South and South-
Eastern countries have
monsoon type of
climate.
 Regional Climatic Variations in India
vDespite an overall unity in the general pattern, there are perceptible regional variations in
climatic conditions within the country.

v Let us take two important elements –

Temperature and Precipitation, and examine how they vary from place to place and
season to season.
 Temperature

Que: Describe the regional variations in climatic conditions in India.

Or
Give examples of climatic contrasts in India.
1.In summer, the mercury occasionally touches 50°C in some parts of the Rajasthan desert,
whereas it may be around 20°C in Pahalgam in Jammu and
Kashmir.

2. On a winter night, temperature at Drass in Jammu and Kashmir may be as low as minus
45°C. Thiruvananthapuram, on the other hand, may have a temperature of 22°C.

3. There is also a wide difference between day and night temperature in some parts. In the Thar
Desert the day temperature may rise to 50°C, and drop down to near 15°C the same night. On
the other hand, there is hardly any difference in day and night temperatures in the Andaman
and Nicobar islands or in Kerala.

Coastal areas experience less contrasts in temperature conditions.

Let us now look at Precipitation.
§ There are variations not only in the form and
types of precipitation but also in its amount and
the seasonal distribution.

§ Upper parts of Himalayas receive precipitation in

the form of snow, while it rains over the rest of
the country.
§ The annual precipitation varies from over 400 cm
in Meghalaya to less than 10 cm in Ladakh and
western Rajasthan.
§ Most parts of the country receive rainfall from
June to September. But some parts like the Tamil
Nadu coast gets a large portion of its rain during
October and November.
There is decrease in rainfall generally from east to west in the Northern Plains. These
variations have given rise to variety in lives of people – in terms of the food they eat, the
clothes they wear and also the kind of houses they live in.
Find Out
Que: Why the houses in Rajasthan have thick walls and flat roofs?
§ The weather is very hot and there is less rainfall
§ Thick walls prevent the heat from entering into the houses while the flat roofs help to
retain the little water that has been collected during rainfall.

Que: Why is it that the houses in the Tarai region and in Goa and Mangalore have
sloping roofs?
§ The houses in the Tarai region, Goa and Mangalore are constructed with sloping roofs
as these places are heavy rainfall areas. The monsoons shed a vast amount of moisture
here. So, the shape of the roof enables the extra water to move down to the ground.

Que: Why houses in Assam are built on stilts?

§ Houses in Assam are built on stilts because the state receives abundant rainfall due to
which there are chances of floods . In case of flood, the water might get inside the
houses if the houses are built on ground level. So in order to avoid flooding of houses, they
are built on stilts and above the ground level.
 Permanent factors which govern the general
CLIMATIC CONTROLS nature of the climate of any location on the
earth are called factors of Climatic Controls

There Are Six Major Controls Of

The Climate Of Any Place. They
Are:
§ Latitude,
§ Altitude,
§ Pressure And Wind System,
§ Distance From The Sea
(Continentality),
§ Ocean Currents
§ Relief Features.
 CLIMATIC CONTROLS Latitude

What role does the latitude

play?
How does it controls the
climate?

Due to the curvature of the

earth, the amount of solar
energy received varies
according to latitude.

Lower latitude = more solar rays

higher latitude = less solar rays
CLIMATIC CONTROLS Altitude

• As we go up from the
surface of the earth to
higher altitude, the
atmosphere became less
dense and temperature
decreases.

The hills are therefore

cooler during summers.
 The pressure and wind system of any area depend
Pressure and Wind on the latitude and altitude of the place.

qOn surface, winds move Low pressure = air masses rises up

from high pressure to low
pressure
High pressure = air masses settle down
CLIMATIC CONTROLS Pressure and Wind
The low pressure and high pressure defines the direction of the wind
Example : In India, during summer wind blows from south west to the
north east

Carries moisture causes rainfall climate is influenced

Thus, It influences the temperature and rainfall pattern.

CLIMATIC CONTROLS Distance from the sea (continentality)

qThe sea exerts a moderating

influence on climate:
§ As the distance from the sea
increases, its moderating influence
decreases and the people
experience extreme weather
conditions.
§ This condition is known as
continentality (i.e. very hot during
summers and very cold during
winters).
 CLIMATIC CONTROLS Relief

• It 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.
• The leeward side of
mountains remains
relatively dry.
 An ocean current is a
CLIMATIC CONTROLS Ocean currents continuous, directed movement
of sea water generated by a
number of forces acting upon the
water, including wind, the Coriolis
effect, temperature and salinity
differences.

§ Ocean Currents Along with onshore winds, the ocean

currents (warm or cold) affect the climate of coastal areas.
§ For example, cold onshore currents bring coolness in
coastal areas.
Q: Why most of the world’s deserts are located in the western margins of continents in the
subtropics?
Ans: Most of the world’s deserts are located in the western margins of continents in the
subtropics because trade winds that blow in the region shed their moisture on the eastern
side. They become dry by the time they reach the western margin of the continent. Cold
ocean currents also tend to stabilise the air over the coast and the region becomes devoid of
moisture which causes dry conditions leading to formation of deserts.
 FACTORS AFFECTING INDIA’S CLIMATE

Latitude Altitude
 Latitude

• From the Rann of Kutch

withinside the west to
Mizoram in the east passes
the Tropic of Cancer dividing
the country into parts. Rann of Kutch
• To the south lies the tropical Mizoram
region and to the north lies
the subtropical area.

Therefore, India’s climate has

characteristics of tropical as
well as subtropical climates
 Altitude
• As we go up from the
surface of the earth to
higher altitude, the
atmosphere became
less dense and
temperature decreases.

• India has mountains to the

north, which have an • It is because of these
average height of about mountains that this
6,000 metres. subcontinent
• The Himalayas prevent the experiences
cold winds from Central Asia comparatively milder
from coming into the winters as compared
country. to central Asia.
Why hills are cooler during summer season?
Answer:
It is because as one goes from the surface of the earth to higher altitudes, the atmosphere becomes less
dense and temperature decreases. That is why hills are cooler in summer.

What does the word “monsoon” imply?

Answer:
The word, monsoon is derived from the Arabic word, Mausim. It means season. Hence, the word, monsoon
implies the seasonal reversal in the wind direction during a year. It conveys the rhythm of seasons and
changes in direction of winds and in the distribution pattern of rainfall and temperature with the change of
seasons. The monsoon winds move six months from sea to land and another six months from land to sea.
“India’s climate has characteristics of tropical as well as sub-tropical climates” Discuss.
Answer:
The Tropic of Cancer passes through the middle of the country from the Rann of Kuchchh in the west to
Mizoram in the east. Almost half of the country, lying south of the Tropic of Cancer, belongs to the tropical
area. All the remaining area, north, of the Tropic, lies in the sub-tropics. Therefore, India’s climate has
characteristics of tropical as well as subtropical climates.
 THE SEASONS
Four main seasons can be identified in India

The Cold Weather The Hot Weather Advancing Monsoon Retreating/Post Monsoons
Season (Winter Season (Summer) (The Rainy Season) (The Transition Season)
 The Cold Weather Season (Winter)

• It begins from mid November in northern India and stays till

February.
• December and January are the coldest months in the
northern part of India.
• During this season, the northeast trade winds prevail over
the country.
• They blow from land to sea and hence, for most part of the
country, it is a dry season.
• Some amount of rainfall occurs on the Tamil Nadu coast from
these winds (here they blow from sea to land)
• The temperature decreases from south to the north.
• The average temperature of Chennai, on the eastern coast, is
between 24° - 25° Celsius, while in the northern plains, it
ranges between 10° - 15° Celsius.
• Days are warm and nights are cold.
• Frost is common in the north and the higher slopes of the
Himalayas experience snowfall.
 The Cold Weather Season (Winter)

• A characteristic feature of the cold

weather season over the northern plains
is the inflow of cyclonic disturbances
from the west and the northwest.
• These low-pressure systems, originate
over the Mediterranean Sea and
western Asia and move into India, along
with the westerly flow. They cause the
much-needed winter rains over the
plains and snowfall in the mountains.
• Although the total amount of winter
rainfall locally known as ‘mahawat’ is
small, they are of immense importance
for the cultivation of ‘rabi’ crops.
The Hot Weather Season (Summer)
qThe hot weather season starts with the apparent movement of the
sun towards the North. The hot weather season starts in March and
lasts upto the end of May.

Features of Hot Weather Season:

• The temperature of the Northern part of India goes up and the atmospheric pressure
comes down.
• The summer months experience rising temperature and falling air pressure. Towards the
end of May, an elongated low-pressure area develops in the region extending from Thar
Desert in North-West to Patna and Chotanagpur plateau in the East and South-East.
• This results into beginning of air circulation around this trough.
• A hot gusty and dry wind, locally known as Loo, blows . during this season over the North
and North-Western India and can cause even death if persons are exposed to it for a long
time.
 Features of Hot Weather Season:
• Dust storms are very common in North India in the
month of May.
• They bring temporary relief from the heat by lowering
the temperature and may also cause light rain and cold
breeze.
• Localised thunderstorms also occur during summer,
which may have high speed winds and even precipitate
hail.
• Such thunderstorms are called Kaal Baisakhi in West
Bengal.
• Near the end of summer, there may be pre-monsoon
showers. These are called Mango Showers in Kerala and
Karnataka, as they help in the early ripening of the
mango fruit.
 Advancing Monsoon (The Rainy Season)
• The low-pressure area over the Northern plains intensifies by
mid-June and attracts the trade winds.
• These trade winds originate over the warm tropical ocean in
the Southern hemisphere.
• After crossing equator, these blow in the South-West
direction entering peninsula as South-West monsoon.
• They cover the entire subcontinent except extreme North-
West in just over one month.

Ø These winds are strong and blow at an average velocity of 30

km per hour.
Ø Early in the season, the windward side of the Western Ghats
receives very heavy rainfall, more than 250 cm.
Ø The Deccan Plateau and parts of Madhya Pradesh also
receive some amount of rain in spite of lying in the rain
shadow area.
windward side: It is the side or direction of a mountain from which the wind
is blowing and pour its moisture in the form of heavy rain.
• The maximum rainfall of this season is received in
the north-eastern part of the country.
• Mawsynram in the southern ranges of the Khasi Hills
receives the highest average rainfall in the world.
• Rainfall in the Ganga valley decreases from the east
to the west.
• Rajasthan and parts of Gujarat get scanty rainfall.
• Another phenomenon associated with the monsoon
is its tendency to have ‘breaks’ in rainfall. Thus, it
has wet and dry spells. In other words, the monsoon
rains take place only for a few days at a time. They
are interspersed with rainless intervals.
• These heavy rains bring in their wake, devastating
floods causing damage to life and property in the
plains.
 Retreating/Post Monsoons
(The Transition Season)

• When the Sun starts shifting towards the south during October-November, the low
pressure trough or monsoon trough over the northern plains becomes weaker.
• This is gradually replaced by a high-pressure system. The south-west monsoon winds
weaken and start withdrawing gradually. By the beginning of October, the monsoon
withdraws from the Northern Plains.
• The months of October-November form a period of transition from hot rainy season to
dry winter conditions.

Features of Retreating/Post Monsoons:

• The period is marked by clear skies and rise in temperature.
• The day temperatures are high, nights are cool and pleasant.
• Due to the high temperature and humidity, the weather becomes rather oppressive
(harsh) during the day time . This phenomenon is known as October heat.
 DISTRIBUTION OF RAINFALL

§ Parts of western coast and northeastern India

receive over about 400 cm of rainfall annually.
§ However, it is less than 60 cm in western
Rajasthan and adjoining parts of Gujarat,
Haryana and Punjab. Rainfall is equally low in the
interior of the Deccan plateau, and east of the
Sahyadris.
§ Why do these regions receive low rainfall?
§ A third area of low precipitation is around Leh in
Jammu and Kashmir.
§ The rest of the country receives moderate rainfall.
§ Snowfall is restricted to the Himalayan region.
§ Areas of high rainfall are liable to be affected by
floods, areas of low rainfall are drought-prone
 MONSOON AS A UNIFYING BOND

Why is the monsoon considered a unifying bond?

§ Northern India has comparatively higher temperatures than other areas of the world at a
similar latitude due to the Himalayas protecting it from the cold Central Asian winds.
§ The peninsular plateau has moderate temperatures due to the influence of the sea on three
sides. The monsoon provides a great variation despite such moderating influences.
§ However, the monsoon unites the land like no other force, because it provides a rhythmic
cycle of seasons.
§ The vegetation, animal life and agricultural activities are all revolving around the effects of
the monsoon.
§ The life of the people, their celebration of festivals and other activities all are geared to the
monsoon as India is still primarily an agricultural nation.
§ The monsoon provides the water to set agricultural activities in motion and hence, the
arrival of the monsoon is awaited eagerly.
§ The river valleys which carry this water also unite as single river valley unit.