Climate of India

Study Notes

India's climate is described as "monsoon" type, common in south and southeast Asia.
Despite a general pattern, there are regional variations in climatic conditions.
Two important elements are temperature and precipitation, which vary by location and season.
In summer, temperature in Rajasthan can reach 50°C, while Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir remains around 20°C.
In winter, Drass in Jammu and Kashmir can experience temperatures as low as -45°C, while Thiruvananthapuram may be 22°C.
Large temperature differences between day and night can occur, especially in the Thar Desert (50°C day, 15°C night), while the Andaman and Nicobar islands and Kerala have less variation.
Precipitation varies, with most areas receiving rain from June to September, but some, like Tamil Nadu coast, getting most of their rain in October and November.
The upper Himalayas experience snowfall, while the rest of India generally receives rain.
Annual precipitation ranges from over 400 cm in Meghalaya to less than 10 cm in Ladakh and western Rajasthan.
Coastal areas generally experience less temperature variation, while the interior of the country has greater seasonal contrasts.
Rainfall decreases from east to west in the Northern Plains.
Relief features, particularly high mountains, affect climate by acting as barriers to winds and influencing precipitation.