Climate and Weather

• Climate is the average weather conditions of a place over a long period

• Weather refers to the state of the atmosphere at a specific time and place

• Elements of weather and climate include temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind, humidity, precipitation and sunshine

• India has a monsoon type of climate

• Temperature in India varies greatly from season to season and region to region, with high temperatures in summer and low temperatures in winter

• Air temperature decreases from the equator to the poles because the angle of sunlight becomes more oblique, spreading the energy over a larger area

• Hills are cooler during summer due to altitude; as altitude increases, temperature decreases, making hill stations a popular summer destination

• The Tropic of Cancer passes through the center of India

• Surface winds blowing from India are South-West monsoon winds

• Coriolis force is an apparent force caused by the Earth's rotation, deflecting winds to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere

• 'Mahawat' refers to the small amount of rainfall in winter

• India experiences hot weather season during the months of March to May

• 'Elongated low-pressure area' develops over the Thar Desert and the adjoining areas of Pakistan

• 'Loo' refers to hot and dry winds that blow during the summer season in India

• 'Dust storms' during summers in India reduce temperature and improve air quality temporarily

• 'Kaal Baisakhi' is a local thunderstorm that occurs in West Bengal during the hot weather season

• 'Mango-Showers' are pre-monsoon showers that help in the ripening of mangoes in South India

• Mawsynram, located in Meghalaya, receives the highest rainfall in the world

• Northern India experiences low humidity, weak winds and low temperature during the winter season

• The phenomenon of the monsoon is experienced in the latitudinal range of 20°N and 20°S

• The heat belt shifts Northwards during the summer season

• Rainfall in the Ganga valley reduces from East to West during the winter season

• 'October Heat' is a characteristic feature of the retreating monsoon season, with high temperature and humidity

• The unifying influence of the monsoon on the Indian sub-continent is quite perceptible because it influences agriculture, water resources, and the overall lifestyle of the people

• Thiruvananthapuram has an equable climate due to its proximity to the sea

• The Himalayas do not allow the South-West monsoon winds to escape from India

• Loo is generally experienced over the 'Northern Plains' during summer

• Rainfall during winters in the North-Western part of India is caused by western disturbances

October Heat

• 'October Heat' is characterized by high temperature and humidity

Climate vs. Weather

• Climate is the average weather conditions over a long period, while weather is the state of the atmosphere at a specific time and place

• India has a monsoon type of climate, characterized by seasonal reversal of wind direction

• Heavy floods occur during monsoons due to excessive rainfall and overflowing of rivers

Thiruvananthapuram and Shillong Rainfall

• Thiruvananthapuram and Shillong are rainier in June due to their location experiencing the onset of the South-West monsoons

Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram Rainfall

• Mumbai is rainier in July than in Thiruvananthapuram because it lies directly in the path of the South-West monsoon winds

Chennai Rainfall

• South-West monsoons are less rainy in Chennai because it is located on the leeward side of the Western Ghats and receives rainfall from North-East monsoons

Shillong and Kolkata Rainfall

• Shillong is rainier than Kolkata because it is located closer to the মেঘালয় hills, which receive heavy rainfall

Delhi and Jodhpur Rainfall

• Delhi receives more rainfall than Jodhpur because it is located closer to the Himalayas and receives rainfall from the monsoon winds

Leh Precipitation

• Leh has moderate precipitation almost throughout the year due to its high altitude and location in the rain shadow area of the Himalayas

Six Major Controls of Climate

• Latitude, altitude, pressure and wind systems, distance from the sea (continentality), ocean currents, and relief features are major controls of climate

Hot Weather Season

• Hot weather season in India is characterized by high temperatures, dry air, and hot and dry winds called 'loo'

Retreating Monsoons

• Retreating monsoons are characterized by clear skies, rise in temperature, and a shift in the rainfall pattern from the Ganga valley to the peninsular region

Rainfall Distribution in India

• Rainfall distribution in India is uneven, with some areas receiving very heavy rainfall and others receiving very little

North-East Trade Winds in Ganga Valley

• North-east trade winds change their direction while blowing through the Ganga valley due to the influence of the Coriolis force and the low-pressure system

Factors Influencing India's Climate

• Latitude influences temperature, altitude influences temperature and precipitation, and distance from the sea affects temperature range and humidity

Monsoon as a Unifying Bond

• Monsoon is considered a unifying bond because it influences the agriculture, water resources, and the overall lifestyle of the people in the Indian sub-continent

Cold Weather Season vs. Hot Weather Season

• Cold weather season has low temperatures and clear skies, while hot weather season has high temperatures and hot, dry winds

Features of Advancing Monsoon

• Advancing monsoon arrives suddenly with thunderstorms, brings relief from the heat, and causes a significant drop in temperature

Cold Season

• Cold season characterized by cool and dry conditions, clear skies, and low humidity

Retreating Monsoon

• Retreating monsoon characterized by clear skies, rising temperatures, and variable rainfall