G.D.

GOENKA PUBLIC SCHOOL SILIGURI

Class XI, PART- A
Chapter-4 INDIA: CLIMATE

Introduction:
Weather: Any casual remarks about the atmospheric condition of a certain place, at a certain
time and is not static (same).
Climate: the average atmospheric condition of a certain place over a long period of 35 years.
Elements of Weather & Climate: temperature, precipitation (rain, snow, hail, sleet), wind,
sunshine, humidity, cloudiness, atmospheric pressure.
 Factors affecting climate:
 Latitude.
 Altitude.
 Distance from the sea.
 Presence of Himalayas/Alignment of hills.
 Western Disturbances and Tropical Cyclones.
 Upper Air Circulation and Jet streams.
 El Nino.

 Latitude: India extends from 8°4´ N to 37°6´ N, with the Tropic of Cancer dividing the country
into two halves. Places north of the Tropic of Cancer lie in the Temperate Zone while places
south of it lie in the Tropical Zone. Places situated in the lower latitudes experience high
temperature such as Kannyakumari (Tamil Nadu) while places situated in the higher latitudes
experience lower/colder temperature such as Srinagar (Jammu & Kashmir).
 Altitude: Places at a higher altitude (height) have a cooler temperature (due to the less denser
air) such as the hill stations; while places near the sea level have warmer temperature (due to the
dense air) such as the plains..
 Distance from the sea: Places along the sea coast experience a Maritime/ equable climate such
as Mumbai (not too hot nor too cold) due to the influence from the sea; while places in the
interior experience Continental/extreme climate such as Delhi (very hot summer & very cold
winter) as these places are away from the influence of the sea.
 Presence of Himalayas & Alignment of Hills: The Himalayas extend from north-west to south-
east in an arc shape separating South Asia from the rest of Asian landmass; as a result it protects
south Asia from the cold winds coming from the north during winter and similarly during
summer it blocks the monsoon winds coming from the south-west giving plenty of rain to the
Indian sub-continent.
Where the hill or mountain ranges lie across the path of the rain bearing winds, they cause
heavy rainfall; in the absence of hills or mountains or if they lie parallel to these winds there is
not much rainfall.
 Western Disturbances and Tropical Cyclones: Western disturbances are depressions forming
around the Mediterranean Sea, which bring rainfall or snowfall to the western and north-
western part of India during winter.
 Snowfall: Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal.

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  Rainfall: Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh, northern Rajasthan.
 Importance: They are beneficial for Rabi (winter) crops especially wheat.
 Tropical Cyclones: originate at the head of the Bay of Bengal, most commonly during the
withdrawal of monsoon (October and November). They are formed due to the meeting of the
warm, moist air from the Bay of Bengal with the cold, dry air over the Indian landmass.
The meeting of these two different air masses causes cyclonic rainfall along the coastal
states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal as well as Bangladesh.
 Upper Air Circulation and Jet streams: In the upper layer of the atmosphere, during the
winter season, the Westerly Jet Streams develop and move towards the east from around
the Mediterranean Sea, pulling the Western Disturbances towards India causing rainfall &
snowfall in northern and north-western parts.
 Jet streams: are very strong winds which blow with great velocity (speed) in the upper layer
of the troposphere.
 Importance: They pull the western disturbances towards the east i.e. India.
 El Nino: is a warm current that sometimes flows along the coast of Peru during the month
of December temporarily replacing the Peruvian current. When the El Nino flows along
the coast of Peru, it increases the temperature of the Pacific waters by 10°C than its normal
temperature. This increase in temperature creates low pressure in the Pacific Ocean. When
there is low pressure in the Pacific Ocean, there is high pressure in the Indian Ocean.
This makes the monsoon weak in India creating drought situation in the country.
 ITCZ: Meaning Intra Tropical Convergence Zone; which is the boundary line formed by
the meeting of North-east Trade and South-east Trade winds. Its normal position is along
the equator, but during the summer season it shifts towards the northern hemisphere till as
much as south of the Himalayas. While it shifts towards the north, it pulls the monsoon winds
towards the Indian sub-continent and by September it is back to its usual position, the
equator. From October it moves further southwards.

WORLD MAP

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 MAP OF ASIA

The Seasons:
 Hot summer season – (March to May)
 Monsoon/Rainy Season - (June to September)
 Retreating Monsoon – (October & November)
 Winter season – (December to February

The Seasons:
 Hot summer season – (March to May): During the March Equinox (23rd March the sun
vertically overhead at the equator), after which the apparent movement of the sun is
northwards towards the Tropic of Cancer; till on the 21st/22nd June the sun is vertically
overhead at the Tropic of Cancer (Summer Solstice). During this time of the year the
temperature increases steadily in the northern hemisphere especially over the land. This is
the time when the entire country experiences summer season. The temperature over the
north-western part of India (Rajasthan plains) reaches its maximum by the end of May; as
a result of which, there is there is a low pressure forming in this part of the country.
Temperature over the Northern plains becomes very hot (around 40○C); due to its interior
location, while over Peninsular India temperature is a little less hot; due to the influence
from the sea (maximum of 36○C). There is a relatively high pressure around the sea (due to
difference in the heating and cooling between land & sea). This pocket of low pressure
attracts the winds towards it from the high pressure area (sea).
During this season certain parts of the country experience local winds and
thunder storms.

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 Monsoon Mechanism: Monsoon in India is caused mainly due to:
1. The difference in the heating and cooling between land and sea, due to which
during summer, temperature over the land is high/hot causing low pressure; while
temperature over the sea is relatively cool/low causing high pressure. This causes the
winds/air to blow from sea to the land. These winds as they blow from the sea to the
land (on-shore winds) they are loaded with moisture/moisture laden winds, causing
heavy rainfall over the land.
2. The shifting of the pressure belts along with the wind belts: The shifting of the
pressure belts along with the wind belts is in response to the apparent migration of the
sun. During the summer season, the apparent movement of the sun is towards the north
i.e. the Tropic of Cancer. These causes the pressure and wind belts to shift 5○ north than
its usual position. With the shifting of pressure and the wind belts, the ITCZ line also
shifts northwards; with its maximum northward position till south of the Himalayas.
This ITCZ line is also responsible for pulling the monsoon winds towards India. By the
first week of June, the ITCZ line reaches the tip of India, causing the monsoon to arrive
first along the coast of Kerala; by the 2nd week of June the monsoon reaches as far as
Mumbai, as the ITCZ line slowly moves towards the north and by the first or second
week of July the entire country will come under the monsoon spell. This is in response
to the maximum northward location of the ITCZ line i.e. south of the Himalayas.
3. Behaviour of the Jet Streams: The sub-tropical westerly jet streams blowing over
India causes a high pressure over northern India in winter. This jet stream shifts
northward beyond India in summer season; and tropical easterly jet streams develop
over India in this season. The behavior of this jet stream is partly responsible for the
variation in the time of onset of salt versus monsoons of India.

 Monsoon/Rainy Season - (June to September): By the first week of June, the monsoon
winds which blow from the south-west reaches south India (Kerala coast) bringing
heavy rainfall. These winds are called south-west because they blow from the south-
west direction and ‘monsoon’ because there is a change in the pattern of winds (the
north-west Trade winds completely dominated by the south-west monsoon winds
between June to September); as well as there is a change in seasons (from hot, dry
summer to wet, rainy season). The word ‘monsoon’ comes from an Arabic word
‘Mausin’ meaning season.
This monsoon wind, as it reaches the tip of the mainland of India (Indian
Ocean), branches into two parts:
i) the Arabian Sea Current and ii) the Bay of Bengal Current.

 Arabian Sea Current: further branches into three parts; one part blows across the
Arabian Sea and reaches the west coast of India; where it encounters the Western
Ghats which block the path of monsoon winds. These monsoon winds are forced to
shed their moisture (rain) along the west coastal plains and the windward slope of the
Western Ghats, giving plenty of rain while the other side i.e. eastern side the of the
Western Ghats (Deccan plateau) gets comparatively less rain as they lie on the leeward
slope (rain shadow area). By the time these winds reach the Eastern Ghats or the east
coastal plain rainfall becomes even less.
Tamil Nadu gets less rain from the south-west monsoon as it lies on the leeward side
of the south-west monsoon winds.

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 The second branch of Arabian Sea Current moves towards the Narmada-Tapi valleys;
where the Vindhya, Satpura and the Ajanta hills lying between the Narmada valley
and the Tapi valley do not play any role in causing rain as they lie parallel to the
direction of this branch of Arabian Sea current. Rather, this branch gives rain to the
interior part where the come across the Mahadeo, Maikal and Kaimur range; as these
hills lie across the path of this branch of current/wind.
 The third branch of Arabian Sea Current moves towards the north-west, over the
Gujarat plains. Since there is no hill or highland to block the path of these winds, there
is not much rain. These winds move further towards the Rajasthan plains (the actual
low pressure area), but since there are no hills to block the path; the Aravali hills lie
parallel to the direction of the monsoon winds; so Rajasthan plains hardly get rain.
Moreover, as these moisture bearing winds move over the desert/Rajasthan plains; the
temperature of these moist wind further increases, giving no scope for condensation to
take place as a result there is no rain in this part of the country; in spite lying close to
the Arabian sea (the actual rain thirsty area). As these winds move further north, they
come across the western Himalayas, which block their path; forcing to shed rain over
Himachal Pradesh and Punjab-Haryana plains.

 The Bay of Bengal Current: The other branch of south-west monsoon winds, after
crossing Sri Lanka, moves as the Bay of Bengal Current towards the Ganga-
Brahmaputra delta. As it crosses the delta, it divides into two parts; one part moves
towards the north-west; where it encounters the Meghalaya plateau. The funnel
shaped hills of the Meghalaya plateau, trap the moisture bearing winds, causing heavy
rainfall on the southern slopes; while the north facing slops gets a little less rainfall as
they on the leeward side. Mawsynram near Cherrapunji records the highest rainfall in
the world.
The other branch of Bay of Bengal current moves towards the north-west
Himalaya. The lofty Himalayas block the path, forcing the rain bearing wind to shed
heavy rainfall on the southern slopes of the Himalayas and the northern plains; while
the other side of the Himalayas i.e. the Tibetan plateau remains dry as it lies on the lee-
ward slope of the Himalayas..

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 Retreating Monsoon – (October & November): From the beginning of October, the
apparent movement of the sun is towards the south (southern hemisphere), heading
towards the Tropic Of Capricorn. The temperature over the land in the northern
hemisphere decreases steadily. As a result the region of low pressure (the Thar desert
region) becomes a region of high pressure. From the month of October, the monsoon
winds start to withdraw from the northern part of India. These retreating monsoon
winds blow from west to east over the Ganga plains. Since they blow from the land to
the sea, they are dry (off-shore) winds and cause no rain. From the month of October
the weather over the northern parts remain dry, with blue sky. When these retreating
monsoon winds reach the Bay of Bengal; they change their direction and become
north-east. Secondly, these dry winds pick the moisture from the Bay of Bengal and
become moist winds. These winds while crossing the peninsular part (Coromondal coast)
gets obstructed by the Eastern Ghats; as a result they give heavy rain to coastal
Tamil Nadu, as it lies on the windward side of the retreating monsoon winds.
Therefore, Tamil Nadu gets more rain in winter than in monsoon.
 During this period, around the Bay of Bengal the warm moist air from the sea
approaches towards the land; where it comes in contact with the cold, dry air. The
meeting of these two different air mass causes cyclonic rain (frontal rain) along the
coastal states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal or Bangladesh
depending on which direction the wind is blowing.

 Winter season: – (December to February):

From the beginning of December, the winter season starts especially over the Northern
states, but in the peninsular states winter is not severe because of the maritime
influence from the sea- Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea. During this period, weather in
most parts of the sub-continent remain dry; excepting the northern states like Jammu &
Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttaranchal, western Uttar Pradesh and
northern Rajasthan which get snowfall and rainfall from the Western Disturbances.

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 October Heat: The withdrawal of monsoon is marked by clear sky and rising
temperature. The day temperatures are high and the nights are cool and pleasant. Owing
to the condition of high temperature, there is rapid evaporation as the ground is still
wet, after the monsoon. This rapid evaporation increases the humidity in the
atmosphere and the weather becomes rather oppressive during the day. This is
commonly known as ‘October Heat’.

 Local winds:
 Loo: It is a hot, dry, dusty wind that blows over the plains of Bihar & Uttar Pradesh in
the late afternoon during the months of May-June. This wind causes a sudden
increase in temperature, where it may rise up to 50°C; which can cause heat stroke.
 Kal Baishaki: It is a thunderstorm during the summer evenings in Assam & West
Bengal. It is often accompanied by strong winds, thunder, lightning and heavy rain;
which causes a great damage to both life and property. It is called ‘Kal Baishaki’
meaning calamity in the month of Baishak (April-May).
 Cherry Blossom: These are thunder showers that come during the summers in
Karnataka. They are good for tea and coffee.
 Mango Showers: It is the pre-monsoon showers that take place along the coast of
Kerala and Karnataka. This light shower of rain is beneficial for ripening of
mangoes and also good for tea and coffee.

LOO KAL BAISHAKI

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 MANGO SHOWER WESTERN DISTURBANCES
Seasons:

SUMMER SEASON MONSOON SEASON

WINTER SEASON
Distribution of Rainfall:
 Areas of Heavy Rainfall:
More than 200 cm rainfall is received along West Coast, on the windward side of the
Western Ghats, sub-Himalayan areas, in the north-east hills of Meghalaya. In some parts
of Khasi and Jaintia hills rainfall exceeds 1,000 cm. In the Brahmaputra Valley and the
adjoining hills, the rainfall is less than 200 cm.
 Areas of Moderate Rainfall:
These regions get rainfall between 100 to 200 cm. It includes the north Ganga plains
along the sub-Himalayan and Cachar valley and Manipur, the east coast of Tamil Nadu,
the southern part of Gujarat and north-eastern Peninsula covering Odisha, Jharkhand,
Bihar and eastern Madhya Pradesh.
 Areas of Low Rainfall:
These areas receive rainfall between 50 to 100 cm. The regions are western Uttar
Pradesh, eastern Rajasthan, Gujarat, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir
and Deccan plateau.
 Areas of Scanty(inadequate) Rainfall:
The amount of rainfall received in these regions is below 50 cm. It includes part of
Peninsula, especially in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra western Rajasthan and
Ladakh.

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 Climatic Regions of India:
 The whole of India has monsoon type of climate, but there are many regional variations.
These variations represent sub types of monsoon climates and forms pieces of
identification of climatic regions a climatic region as a homogeneous climatic condition
which is the result of a combination of two factors that is temperature and rainfall. They
play an important role in classification of climate. Therefore, according to the opens
scheme which is based on monthly values of temperature and precipitation, India has
five major types of climate.
 Tropical Climate:
Where the mean monthly temperature is above 18○C throughout the year.
 Dry Climate:
Where temperature is high and rainfall is low. If dryness is less, it is semi-arid (S), if it is
more; the climate is arid (W).
 Warm Temperature Climate:
Where the mean temperature is high of the winter months vary between 18○C to -3○C.
 Cool Temperate Climate:
Where temperature of warmest month is over 10○C and of coldest month is under -3○C.
 Ice Climate:
Where the mean temperature of the warmest month is below 10○C.
Koeppen used capital and small letter symbols to denote climate types and sub-
types respectively. S and W are used to denote semi-arid and arid respectively.
The sub-types include of (sufficient precipitation), m (rainforest despite a dry
monsoon season), w (dry season in winter), h (dry and hot), c (less than four months of
mean temperature over 10 degree C), and g (Gangetic plain). Accordingly, India can be
divided into 8 climatic regions.

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 Climatic Regions of India (Koeppen’s Scheme)
Symbols Type of Climate Areas/Distribution
1. Amw Monsoon with short dry West coast, south of Goa.
season.
2. As Monsoon with dry summer. Coromondal coast of Tamil Nadu.
3. Aw Tropical Savannah. Most of Peninsular plateau, south of Tropic of Cancer.
4. BShw Semi-arid Steppe. North-western Gujarat, western Rajasthan and Punjab.
5. BWhw Hot desert. Extreme western Rajasthan.
6. Cwg Monsoon with dry winter. Ganga plain, eastern Rajasthan, northern Madhya
Pradesh, most of north-east India.
7. Dfc Cold humid winter with Arunachal Pradesh.
short summer.
8. E Polar type Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

 Characteristics of monsoons:
 About 80% of rain in India comes from the SW Monsoons (June – September).
 Rainfall is Erratic (unpredictable or uncertain) as it does not arrive on time. Sometimes
the monsoons are late, sometimes early or sometimes there is an early departure,
sometimes late withdrawal. Moreover the monsoon is weak, leading to drought
conditions and sometimes monsoon brings heavy rainfall causing floods.
 Rainfall is Sporadic (not uniformly distributed). Rainfall in India is not uniformly
distributed. Some parts like the west coastal plains, western slopes of the Western Ghats,
the Purvachal hills, eastern Himalayas get heavy rainfall of more than 200 cm; while the
Rajasthan plains (Thar desert) get scanty rainfall of less than 75 cm. The rest of the
country gets moderate rainfall.
 Rainfall is Orographic: (rainfall due to presence of hills/mountains). Where the hills
and mountains lie across the path of the rain bearing winds there is heavy rainfall; in the
absence or if the hills are parallel to the direction of the rain bearing winds there is little
or no rain.
 Rainfall is Cyclonic & Convectional: The coastal states, especially the east coast get
cyclonic rainfall, while south India gets convectional rainfall.
 Rainfall affects the Country’s Economy: India is basically an agricultural country,
with majority of the population directly dependent on agriculture. Monsoon plays an
important role i.e. if the monsoon arrives at the right time with good amount of rain;
then the country gets a good harvest of both food as well as industrial crops. If the
monsoon fails to come at the right time (late arrival) or the monsoon is weak (less rain)
then the crops suffer or harvest becomes poor which will have an adverse effect in the
country’s economy.
Moreover, the monsoon rain provides water to the rivers, which are utilized for the
generation of electricity (domestic & industries). The failure of monsoon will also have
an adverse effect on hydel power generation.

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