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PAWAR PUBLIC SCHOOL, DOMBIVALI

SUBJECT: GEOGRAPHY
GRADE 10
The Climate of India
⮚ The position of the mid-day Sun is limited within the tropics. Places on the tropics see the mid-day sun
once every year during solstice.
Places between the tropics see the mid-day sun twice every year, once during its northward migration
and once during its southward migration.
Places beyond the tropics never see the mid-day sun as the position of the mid-day sun is limited within
the tropics.
⮚ The mountains are cooler than the plains because the plains have dense air which absorbs more heat
while the mountains have thin air which absorbs less heat.
⮚ Places on the Deccan Plateau are not very hot in spite of being near the Equator. This is because the
Deccan Plateau is at a higher altitude and has a thin layer of air which absorbs less heat.
⮚ Places near the coast have an equable climate because of the moderating influence of the sea.
Places in the interior have an extreme climate because it is far away from the moderating influence of
the sea.
⮚ Equable Climate : The annual range of temperature is small. Summers are not very hot and winters are
not very cold.
Extreme Climate : The annual range of temperature is big/large. Summers are very hot and winters are
very cold.
Annual Range of temperature : It is the difference between the highest and lowest temperature in the
year. It is obtained by subtracting the lowest temperature from the highest temperature in the year.
Diurnal Range of temperature : It is the difference between the highest and the lowest temperature in
a day. It is obtained by finding the difference between the maximum and the minimum temperature of
the day.
⮚ The sub-continent has a tropical monsoonal climate since
● the greater part of the sub-continent lies within the tropics.
● the climate is influenced by the S.W. Monsoon winds and the N.E. Monsoon winds.
⮚ Characteristics of the Hot Weather Season
● It is a period of rising temperature and falling air pressure.
● There is a steady increase in temperatures from south to north with the highest temperature in the
interior.
● Mostly dry winds with occasional local storms.
⮚ Western Rajasthan receives scanty rain because
● The Aravali Range is parallel to the direction of the prevailing S.W. Monsoon winds from the
Arabian Sea branch. So it does not offer any obstacle in the way of winds.
● With respect to the Bay of Bengal branch of the S.W. Monsoon winds, Western Rajasthan lies on
the leeward side. By the time the winds reach here, they are almost dry.
● The moisture laden S.W. Monsoon winds from the Arabian Sea branch passing over Western
Rajasthan do not saturate as the heat in the desert region increases its capacity to hold moisture.
⮚ Mawsynram and Cherrapunji receives very heavy rainfall because
● They are located on the crest of the southern range of Khasi Hills on its windward side with
respect to the Bay of Bengal branch of the S.W. Monsoon winds.
● When these moisture laden winds strike the hills, they bring heavy rainfall.
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⮚ Shillong receives less than 200cm of annual rainfall because

● It lies on the leeward side of the Khasi Hills.
● By the time the Bay of Bengal branch of the S.W. Monsoon winds reach Shillong, they are
almost dry.

⮚ The coldest place in India is the Dras Valley near Kargil in Kashmir. The lowest temperature may go
down to - 40ºC in winter.

⮚ Kerala is the first state to see the onset of the S.W. Mansoons and the last state to see its withdrawal.

⮚ Chennai receives rain thrice a year because

● Chennai lies on the eastern coast. The S.W. Monsoons from the Bay of Bengal branch are
parallel to Chennai and do not bring rain. The S.W. Monsoon from the Arabian Sea branch
brings some rain but not much as they have covered a large distance and do not carry much
moisture. This occurs in the S.W. Monsoon season from June to September.
● During the winter season when the dry N.E. Monsoon winds cross over the Bay of Bengal, they
pick up moisture. When these winds strike against the Eastern Ghats, they cause a lot of rain in
Chennai as it lies on its windward side.
● During the Retreating S.W. Monsoon season, Chennai receives rain from the tropical cyclones
originating over the Bay of Bengal.

⮚ Annual Rainfall is calculated by adding the total rainfall received in a year.

⮚ Average Rainfall is calculated by adding the total rainfall received and dividing it with the number of
months.

⮚ Mumbai receives heavier rainfall than Pune during the monsoon season because
● Mumbai lies on the windward side of the Western Ghats. The moisture laden South-West
Monsoon winds from the Arabian Sea is forced to ascent the slope and bring heavy rainfall in
Mumbai.
● Pune lies on the leeward side or the rain shadow region of the Western Ghats. The South-West
Monsoon winds from the Arabian Sea have to descend the slope after crossing the crest of the
Ghats. In this process, their temperature rises and their humidity decreases. Therefore they
cause little rainfall.

⮚ A Rain-Shadow area is an area sheltered by the hills from the prevailing winds and has a lighter
rainfall than the windward side of the hills. eg. Bangalore, Shillong.
⮚ Burst of Monsoon is the sudden violent onset of rainfall accompanied by thunder and lightning in the
first week of June.
⮚ Break of Monsoon: When the South West Monsoon fails to bring rainfall for two or more weeks and
there is a dry period in the rainy season is called the Break of Monsoon.
⮚ Sources of Winter Rainfall :
● Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir from the westerly depressions/ western disturbances/ temperate
cyclones originating in the Mediterranean Sea. They bring light rainfall beneficial for wheat
cultivation. They also bring snowfall in the Himalayas.

● Coastal parts of Tamil Nadu from the North East Monsoon winds that pick up moisture from the
Bay of Bengal. These moisture laden winds hit the Eastern Ghats and bring rain to the coastal
parts of Tamil Nadu which lie on its windward side.
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Equable Climate Continental Climate

i) Areas which are neither too warm in summers nor i) Places with higher range of temperature (extremes
too cold in winters (with low range of temperature) of temperature) experience extreme climate, it is
are said to have an equable climate. known as continental climate.
ii) Equable climates are characterized by well ii) Rainfall in extreme climate is restricted to
distributed rainfall throughout the year. summer months.
iii) This type of climate is found in places located iii) Interiors of continents/countries which have the
close to the sea having the moderating influence of least influence of the sea experience this type of
the sea. Chennai, Cochin, Mumbai etc. climate. Delhi, Kanpur, Bhopal etc.

The two cyclonic systems prevalent in India are:

Tropical Cyclones Temperate Cyclones
They originate between 8° and 20° north and These are active over mid latitudinal regions between
south of the oceans in the tropical regions of Bay 35° and 65° latitudes in the temperate region of the
of Bengal. Mediterranean Sea.
These are produced and developed mainly over These are produced over both land and sea.
the sea.
These are limited to a small area. They comparatively cover a larger area.
Circular in shape Oval in shape
They bring heavy rainfall with strong winds over Bring moderate rainfall in the north western part of
the Coromandal Coast. India.
Destroys seasonal crops. Beneficial for wheat crop.
Destructive and causes damage. Less destructive, cause’s negligible damage.

Monsoon Phenomena and Its Mechanism

Monsoons are periodic or seasonal winds. They develop because of differential heating and cooling of the land
and the sea. They are divided into two wind systems.
Summer Monsoons Winter Monsoon
● In May, June and July, the plains of Indian ● The Sun shines directly overhead at the Tropic
subcontinent are heated by the vertical rays of Capricorn.
of the Sun. ● As a result, high pressure conditions develop
● The intense heat develops a low pressure on over the land masses while low pressure is
the land. During these months, in the centred on the water bodies surrounding the
southern hemisphere over the Indian Ocean, peninsula.
a high pressure area develops. ● As such, offshore winds start blowing towards
● As they blow from the sea to the land, they the low pressure areas in the Bay of Bengal from
bring heavy rainfall in some parts of the northeast to southwest. As they strike the
Indian subcontinent. Coromandel Coast in eastern coast of India, they
● The summer monsoon winds blow from give heavy rainfall to Andhra Pradesh and Tamil
south-west; so they are known as the ‘South Nadu.
West Summer Monsoon’ or the ‘Advancing ● The winter monsoon winds blow north-east; so
Monsoon.’ the monsoon is known as the ‘North East Winter
Monsoon’.
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Retreating S.W. Monsoons North-East Monsoons/ Winter Monsoons

● They blow during October and November ● They blow during December, January and
months February months

● This is a season of transition between the ● This is the cold weather season.
hot, rainy season to the cold and dry season.

● Featured by harsh heat and humidity known ● Featured by low temperature and low humidity.
as ‘October Heat’.

● Blow in Southwest direction ● Blow in the Northeast direction from the land to
the sea.

Hot Weather Season Cold Weather Season

● This season begins in March and ● This season starts in December and
ends in May. lasts until February.
● The Sun migrates northwards and ● The Sun shines directly overhead at
shines directly between the the Tropic of Capricorn.
tropics on the mainland of India.
● As a result, low pressure ● As a result, high pressure conditions
conditions develop over the land develop over the land masses while
while high pressure prevails over low pressure is centred on the water
the surrounding seas. bodies surrounding the peninsula.

● As such, onshore winds start ● As such, offshore winds start

blowing towards the low pressure blowing towards the low pressure
areas from southwest to northeast areas in the Bay of Bengal from
direction. northeast to southwest.
● The brief spell of showers ● As they strike the Coromandel Coast
experienced in this season is very in eastern coast of India, they give
useful for tea crop in Assam, rice heavy rainfall to Andhra Pradesh and
in West Bengal and Mango, tea Tamil Nadu. They cause heavy
and coffee in the south/Kerala. damage to crops and means of
transport.
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Given below is the climatic data of a station. Study the table and answer the questions that
follow:
1.

Jan Feb Mar April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

Avg. 23.7 23.9 26.2 28.1 29.7 28.9 27.2 26.8 27 28 27 25.1
Temperature
(°C)

Precipitation 0 1 0 1 11 55.6 83.5 56.6 34.1 68 6 1

/ Rainfall
(cm)

(i) Calculate the annual range temperature.

(ii) What is the total annual rainfall?

(iii) Presuming that the station is located in India, give a reason for its location being on
the east coast or the west coast of India .

2.

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

Avg. 11.8 14.7 19.7 25.3 30.5 32.8 30.8 29.8 28.9 24.5 17.8 13.2
Temperature
(°C)

Precipitation / 2.7 2.8 3.8 1.8 1.7 5.3 20.8 18.3 9.6 1.4 6 1.5
Rainfall (cm)

(i) What is the annual range of temperature of the Station?

(ii) Name the wettest and the coldest month.

(iii) Why would it be correct to presume that the station lies in the interior and not on the
coast?
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