Seasons of India

1. Summer (March–May)

  • Sun's Position: Shines vertically on the equator; moves northward.

  • Temperature: High in India due to the northern location; surrounding water bodies stay cooler.

  • Winds: Hot winds blow from water to land, carrying moisture.

  • Key Local Winds:

    • Kalbaishakhi (Nor’wester): Assam, West Bengal.

    • Loo: Delhi, Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand.

    • Mango Showers: Kerala, Tamil Nadu (ripens mangoes).

    • Cherry Blossom: Karnataka (helps in coffee growth).

2. Southwest Monsoon (June–September)

  • Sun's Position: Shines vertically on the Tropic of Cancer.

  • Temperature: Intense heat; low-pressure trough forms inland.

  • Wind Movement: Deflected by Coriolis effect; blows from sea to land.

  • Branches:

    • Arabian Sea Branch:

      • Brings heavy rain to windward side of the Western Ghats (e.g., Mumbai, Pune).

      • Leeward side (e.g., Deccan Plateau) gets less rain.

      • Rajasthan and Thar Desert remain dry.

    • Bay of Bengal Branch:

      • Brings rain to northeast hills (e.g., Mawsynram, Cherrapunji).

      • Rain shadow regions (e.g., Shillong, Tamil Nadu) remain drier.

      • Moisture decreases as the wind moves west.

3. Retreating Monsoon (October–November)

  • Sun's Position: Moves southward; heat reduces.

  • Winds: Retreating winds cause "October Heat" (humid and cloudy).

  • Rainfall: Affects Tamil Nadu due to northeast winds.

4. Winter (December–February)

  • Sun's Position: In the southern hemisphere; India cools down.

  • Winds:

    • Dry, cold winds dominate.

    • Winds blowing from land to sea remain dry.

  • Special Rainfall:

    • Western Disturbances bring rain to Punjab, Haryana, and northern regions (important for wheat).

    • Tamil Nadu and Coromandel Coast receive some rainfall.