AMRITA VIDYALAYAM – KOVUR

CLIMATE

CLASS: IX SUB: GEOGRPHY

I. Answer the following questions:

1. Explain the major determinants of the climate of a place.

Ans: The Six major controls of the climate of a place:-

(a) Latitude: Due to the round shape of the Earth, the amount of solar energy received
varies according to latitude. As a result, air temperature decreases from the equator
towards the poles.
(b) Altitude: As one moves up to the higher altitudes, the atmosphere becomes less
dense temperature decreases. Therefore, hills are cooler during summers.
(c) Pressure and winds: Pressure and wind system of an area depend on the latitude
and altitude of the place. Thus, it influences the temperature and rainfall patterns.
(d) Distance from the sea: If the region is close to the sea, it makes the temperature
moderate but if it is away from the sea, it experiences extreme weather conditions.
(e) Relief: High mountains acts as barriers for cold and hot winds. They may also cause
precipitation if they lie in the path of rain-bearing winds. The leeward side of
mountains remains dry, whereas the windward side is able to receive rain.

2. What are Jet Streams? Discuss their influence on the climate of India.

Ans: Jet Streams are high velocity winds blowing through a narrow zone in the upper
troposphere.

These jet streams are located approximately over 27-37 degree North latitude. Hence they
are known as subtropical westerly jet streams.

Over India, the subtropical westerly jet streams blows south of the Himalayas throughout
the year except in summer.

It causes the south-west monsoon and tropical cyclones burst into India and rainfall occurs
throughout the country.

When the easterly jet streams weaken, the monsoon begins to retreat.
3. Location and relief are important factors in determining the climate of India. Explain.

Ans: The location of India and the various relief features have deep effect in determining
climate of India.

(a) Location:-
 India is located between 8-37degree North latitudes.
 Tropic of Cancer divides the country in two equal halves – North sub-tropical
zone and south tropical zone.
 India is surrounded by three water bodies in the South and grid led by a high
continuous mountain chain in the North. This compact physical setting gives
unique and common climatic framework.
 Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal and Arabian sea have moderating effects on India’s
climatic conditions.
(b) Relief:-
 High mountains in the North act as barriers for cold and hot winds. It provides
the whole of North India a tropical climate.
 They may also cause precipitation as they are high enough and lie in the path of
rain-bearing winds. For examples, the leeward side of Western Ghats remains
relatively dry in monsoon season.
 The Himalayas also force the South-West monsoons to shed all their moisture in
the sub-continent.

Thus, it can be concluded that location and relief are important factors in determining the
climate of India.

4. Define the following:

(a) Monsoon: 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.
(b) Loo: These are strong gusty, hot, dry winds blowing during the day over the north
and north western India in summer season.
(c) Mango Showers: The pre-monsoon showers, which help in the ripening of mangoes
in coastal Kerala and Karnataka are known as Mango showers.
 5. Describe the characteristic features of Hot Weather season.

Ans: * India experience the hot weather season from the month of March to May.

 The temperature in the northern plains of India is between 42-45 degree C and in
the Deccan plateau, between 35-38 degree C.
 Towards the end of May, an elongated low pressure area develops in the region
extending from the Thar Desert to Patna and Chotanagpur plateau.
 Dust stroms are very common during the month of May in northern India. These
storms bring temporary relief as they lower the temperature.
 This is also the season of localized thunderstorms associated with violent winds and
torrential rains known as Kaal Baisakhi in West Bengal.

6. Explain how monsoon acts as a unifying bond in India.

Ans: The presence of Himalayan range in North and ocean in the south have created a
unique climatic conditions over Indian sub-continent.

The seasonal alternation of wind system and the associated weather conditions provide a
rhythmic cycle of seasons.

Indian landscape, lifestyle, agriculture, food habit, culture etc. all revolve around this
phenomenon.

By providing water to the agriculture and regulating the flow of water in river valleys,
monsoon binds the whole country together.

Thus, monsoon is a unifying bond.

7. Name the five mechanism of the monsoon in India.

Ans: The differential heating and cooling of land and water creates low pressure on the
landmass of India while the sea around experience comparatively high pressure.

The Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is normally positioned about 5degree North of
the equator. During summer, it shifts over the Ganga plains. It is also known as the
monsoon trough during the monsoon season.
The high pressure area, east of Madagascar is approximately 20 degree South over the
Indian Ocean. This area affects the Indian Monsoon.

The Tibetan plateau gets intensely heated during summer. This leads in strong vertical air
currents and formation of high pressure over the plateau. This high pressure zone is about
9km above the sea level.

The westerly jet stream moves to the north of the Himalayas, and the tropical easterly jet
stream moves over the Indian Peninsula during summer.