Climate - Geography

India's Climate Type

Tropical monsoon type of climate

Reason for India's Climate

India lies in the tropical belt and is influenced by monsoon winds confined to the tropics (20°N–20°S)

Main Characteristics of Tropical Monsoon Climate

Relatively high temperatures and dry winters

Role of Himalayas

Protect northern India from cold Central Asian winds and give it a continental climate with dry air and large diurnal temperature range

Role of Indian Ocean

Provides a hot monsoon climate typical of the tropics

Kerala's Climate

Tropical with warm and moist air

Punjab's Climate

Continental with severe heat alternating with severe cold

Wettest Place in India

Mawsynram and Cherrapunji in Meghalaya with ~1100cm annual rainfall

Driest Place in India

Jaisalmer in Rajasthan with ~9cm annual rainfall

Coromandel Coast in July–August

Remains dry

Ganga Delta and Odisha Coast in July–August

Hit by strong storms every 3–5 days

Season of Rainfall in Most of India

June–September

Season of Rainfall in Tamil Nadu

Beginning of winter due to NE Monsoon
India's Climate Type

Reason for India's Climate

India lies in the tropical belt and is influenced by monsoon winds confined to the tropics (20°N–20°S)

Main Characteristics of Tropical Monsoon Climate

Relatively high temperatures and dry winters

Role of Himalayas

Protect northern India from cold Central Asian winds and give it a continental climate with dry air and large diurnal temperature range

Role of Indian Ocean

Provides a hot monsoon climate typical of the tropics

Factor Affecting Climate: Altitude

Temperature decreases 1°C per 166m rise in height

Factor Affecting Climate: Surrounding Seas

Provide moisture and moderate climate in coastal areas

Factor Affecting Climate: Western Disturbances

Bring winter rain to Northern Plains and snow to Himalayas

Factor Affecting Climate: Jet Streams

Westerly jet in winter

Factor Affecting Climate: Distance from Sea

Interiors have continental climate

Factor Affecting Climate: El Niño

Causes delay or weakening of monsoon leading to drier conditions

Summer Monsoon Mechanism

Land heats faster creating low pressure attracting moist winds from Indian Ocean

Winter Monsoon Mechanism

Land has high pressure and winds blow to the ocean

Four Seasons in India

Hot dry summer (Mar–May)

The Hot and Wet or Rainy Season or the

South-West Monsoon (June to September).

Retreating South-West Monsoon. or Post Monsoon_(October-November)

Cold and Dry Winter Season or North-

ast Monsoon (December-February).

Hot Weather Season Temperature

North India reaches up to 48°C

Hot Weather Season Local Winds

Loo (hot dusty winds in NW India)

SW Monsoon Season Duration

June to September

First State to Receive Monsoon

Kerala

Burst of Monsoon

Sudden onset of heavy rain with thunder

Break of Monsoon

Dry periods of 2+ weeks during rainy season

Arabian Sea Branch of SW Monsoon

Hits Western Ghats causing heavy rain on windward side

Bay of Bengal Branch of SW Monsoon

Deflected by Arakan Hills

Retreating Monsoon Period

October–November

October Heat

Hot and humid weather before winter

Cold Weather Season Duration

November to March

Coldest Month in India

January

Coldest Place in India

Dras in Kashmir (~–45°C)

North-East Monsoon Brings Rain To

Tamil Nadu and south Andhra coast

Western Disturbances in Winter

Bring rain to Punjab

Rainfall Region: Heavy

200cm annually in Meghalaya Hills

Rainfall Region: Moderate

100–200cm in Middle Ganga Valley

Rainfall Region: Low

50–100cm in Deccan Plateau

Rainfall Region: Scanty

Main Rainfall Features

70% in rainy season

Impact of Rainfall on Economy

Agriculture highly dependent on monsoon rains