Weather and Climate Basics
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Questions and Answers

What is the main difference between climate and weather?

Climate refers to long-term weather patterns over an area, while weather describes the atmospheric state at a specific time.

Define monsoon and its significance.

Monsoon is the seasonal reversal of winds that brings significant rainfall, crucial for agriculture in affected regions.

List and briefly explain two climatic controls.

Latitude affects solar energy received, and altitude influences temperature, as higher altitudes generally lead to cooler temperatures.

Describe the cold weather season in Northern India.

<p>The cold weather season lasts from mid-November to February, with December and January being the coldest months, characterized by low temperatures and clear skies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the advancing monsoon season?

<p>The advancing monsoon, from June to September, is marked by the southwest monsoon bringing rainfall, with breaks leading to wet and dry spells.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain the features of the retreating monsoon season.

<p>The retreating monsoon season, occurring in October and November, is warm with initially low pressure that gradually rises, featuring hot days and cool nights.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the main elements that constitute weather and climate?

<p>The main elements include temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind, humidity, and precipitation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does distance from the sea affect climate?

<p>Distance from the sea influences climate by affecting temperature and humidity; coastal areas tend to have milder climates compared to inland regions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does altitude and distance from the sea affect the distribution of rainfall in India?

<p>Higher altitudes and increased distance from the sea generally lead to lower rainfall, while coastal areas and lower altitudes tend to receive more rainfall.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What regions in India receive the highest annual rainfall, and how does this affect those areas?

<p>The western coast and northeastern India receive over 400 cm of rainfall annually, leading to a risk of flooding in these regions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the summer and winter monsoon winds in India?

<p>The summer monsoon brings heavy rainfall from the sea to land, while the winter monsoon primarily blows from the land to the sea, resulting in minimal precipitation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why does the Thar Desert experience the highest diurnal range of temperature in India?

<p>The Thar Desert has extreme temperature fluctuations, reaching over 50°C during the day and dropping below 15°C at night due to limited vegetation and sunlight availability at night.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'break in monsoon' refer to?

<p>The 'break in monsoon' refers to dry spells during the monsoon season when rainfall occurs only intermittently.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what way do monsoons serve as a 'unifying bond' in India?

<p>Monsoons unify the country by providing essential rainfall for agriculture and water resources, impacting all regions and creating a shared dependence on this seasonal change.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why does rainfall decrease from the east to the west in northern India?

<p>Rainfall decreases from east to west due to the low pressure area in northwest India, which attracts southwest monsoon winds to the eastern regions more effectively.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does snowfall in India relate to geographical features?

<p>Snowfall in India is primarily restricted to the Himalayan region, which is characterized by high altitudes that facilitate snow accumulation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do relief features play in the distribution of rainfall in India?

<p>Relief features, like mountains, affect rainfall distribution by blocking moist winds, leading to heavy rainfall on the windward slopes and creating dry conditions on the leeward slopes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do climatic conditions differ between Rajasthan and Jammu & Kashmir during summer?

<p>In summer, temperatures in Rajasthan can exceed 50°C, while in Jammu &amp; Kashmir, they are around 20°C.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the southwest monsoon from the northeast monsoon?

<p>The southwest monsoon is moisture-laden and blows from the sea to the land, while the northeast monsoon is dry, blowing from land to sea.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the precipitation extremes observed in India?

<p>Precipitation in India ranges from over 400 cm in Meghalaya to less than 10 cm in regions like Ladakh and western Rajasthan.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is the leeward side of the Western Ghats drought-prone?

<p>The leeward side of the Western Ghats is drought-prone because the moisture-laden winds lose most of their moisture on the windward slopes, resulting in little rainfall on the leeward side.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What causes the seasonal reversal of wind direction over the Indian subcontinent?

<p>The seasonal reversal of wind direction is caused by the differential heating of land and water; in summer, the land is warmer, creating low pressure that draws winds from the sea, while in winter, the land cools, resulting in high pressure that pushes winds towards the sea.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do monsoon winds contribute to the rainfall in India?

<p>Monsoon winds bring heavy rainfall primarily between June and September when intense low pressure over the land draws moisture-laden winds from the surrounding seas.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the role of the northeast monsoon in Tamil Nadu's winter rainfall.

<p>The northeast monsoon brings winter rainfall to the Tamil Nadu coast as it picks up moisture while crossing the Bay of Bengal, despite originating from the dry land.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is the delta region of eastern coast frequently affected by cyclones?

<p>The delta region is frequently struck by cyclones due to the transfer of low pressure from northwestern India to the Bay of Bengal, creating conditions conducive for cyclonic depressions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between pressure systems and the movement of winds during the monsoon season?

<p>During the monsoon season, winds blow from high-pressure areas over the sea to low-pressure areas over the warm land, facilitating moisture transport and rainfall.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the geographical positioning of the Indian subcontinent influence its climatic patterns?

<p>The Indian subcontinent's positioning, surrounded by water on three sides, leads to variations in temperature and pressure, resulting in distinct climatic patterns such as the monsoons.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the summer temperatures in the formation of monsoon winds?

<p>High summer temperatures in the Indian subcontinent create a significant low-pressure area, which draws in moisture-laden winds from cooler seas, establishing the monsoon.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain the impact of the Himalayas on the monsoon winds reaching northern India.

<p>The Himalayas block the southwest monsoon winds, causing heavy rainfall on the windward slopes, but as the winds move westward, they lose moisture, leading to decreased rainfall in northern India.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Climate

The overall weather pattern of a region over a long period of time, usually at least 30 years.

Weather

The state of the atmosphere at a specific location and time.

Monsoon

Seasonal wind reversals, particularly associated with heavy rainfall in certain regions.

Elements of weather and climate

The average temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind, humidity, and precipitation over a specific area.

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Climatic Controls

Factors influencing climate patterns, including latitude, altitude, pressure systems, distance from the sea, geographic features, and ocean currents.

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Advancing Monsoon

The season from June to September when southwest monsoon winds bring rainfall to most of India.

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Retreating/Post Monsoon

The season from October to November characterized by retreating monsoon winds, lower rainfall, and increasing temperatures.

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Cold Weather Season

The period from mid-November to February in northern India marked by lower temperatures, clear skies, and dry conditions.

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Rainfall distribution in India

The amount of rainfall varies greatly across India, with the Western Coast and Northeast receiving over 400 cm annually, while Western Rajasthan and Punjab get less than 60 cm.

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What is a monsoon?

The monsoon winds are seasonal winds that blow from the sea to land in the summer, causing heavy rainfall, and then reverse direction in the winter, blowing from the land to the sea.

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Why does the Thar Desert have the highest diurnal temperature range?

The Thar Desert experiences the highest daily temperature difference because it heats up quickly during the day due to lack of vegetation and cools down quickly at night.

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What is the 'break' in the monsoon?

The monsoon can be interrupted by dry spells, which are related to the movement of the monsoon trough. When the trough moves towards the Himalayas, the plains are dry.

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Why is the monsoon considered 'a unifying bond'?

Rain is a vital resource for agriculture and rivers, connecting different parts of India. This unites the country as everyone depends on the monsoon rains.

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Why does rainfall decrease from east to west in Northern India?

The low-pressure area in the northwest of India attracts the southwest monsoon winds, causing them to move from east to west across northern India, leading to a decrease in rainfall along the way.

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Rain Shadow Effect

The phenomenon where mountains block moisture-laden winds, resulting in less rainfall on the leeward (downwind) side, leading to dry conditions.

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Southwest Monsoon

The southwest monsoon, blowing from June to September, carries moisture from the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea, bringing heavy rainfall to India.

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Northeast Monsoon

The northeast monsoon, blowing from November to February, originates from the land and is relatively dry, bringing light rainfall to the east coast of India.

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Windward Side Rainfall

The windward side of mountains receives more rainfall due to the air rising and cooling, causing moisture to condense and fall as rain.

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Leeward Side Rainfall

The leeward side of mountains receives less rainfall because the air has already released its moisture on the windward side, creating a dry area.

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Seasonal Reversal of Wind Direction in India

The shift in wind direction over the Indian subcontinent from the southwest monsoon to the northeast monsoon, occurring between summer and winter.

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Indian Summer Monsoon

The southwest monsoon, blowing from the Indian Ocean across the Indian subcontinent during summer, causing intense rainfall.

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Indian Winter Monsoon

The northeast monsoon, blowing from land to sea across the Bay of Bengal during winter, causing rainfall on the Tamil Nadu coast.

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Rainy Season in India

The period of intense rainfall in India caused by the southwest monsoon, typically lasting from June to September.

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Low Pressure in India During Summer

The lower-pressure area over the Indian landmass in summer, caused by the land heating faster than the surrounding water, leading to the southwest monsoon.

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High Pressure Over Indian Ocean During Summer

The higher-pressure area over the Indian Ocean in summer, caused by the cool sea surface, leading to the southwest monsoon.

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Cyclones in the Bay of Bengal

The formation of cyclones in the Bay of Bengal during the early part of the winter season, often causing significant damage along the eastern coast of India.

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Shift in Low Pressure from NW India to Bay of Bengal

The movement of low pressure from northwestern India to the Bay of Bengal in early November, contributing to the formation of cyclones.

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Study Notes

Climate

  • Climate refers to the sum total of weather conditions and variations over a large area for a long period of time (more than 30 years).

Weather

  • Weather is the state of the atmosphere at any point in time over a specific area.

Monsoon

  • Monsoon refers to the seasonal reversal of wind direction during a year. It is derived from the Arabic word "mausim," which means season.

Elements of Weather and Climate

  • Temperature
  • Atmospheric pressure
  • Wind
  • Humidity
  • Precipitation

Climatic Controls

  • Latitude
  • Altitude
  • Pressure and winds
  • Distance from the sea
  • Relief
  • Ocean currents

Cold Weather Season

  • The cold weather season begins in mid-November and lasts until February in northern India.
  • December and January are the coldest months in northern India.
  • Temperatures decrease from south to north.
  • Days are warm and nights are cool in Chennai.
  • Frost is common in the north.
  • Higher slopes of the Himalayas experience snowfall.
  • Northeast trade winds prevail over the country.

Monsoon Characteristics

  • Southeast trade winds originate over warm sub-tropical areas of the southern ocean.
  • This season ranges from June to September.
  • Southwest monsoon brings rainfall to the entire country, except the northwest.
  • This season experiences breaks in the monsoon.

Retreating/Post Monsoon

  • This season ranges from October to November.
  • Temperatures are warm initially, gradually becoming high.
  • Days are hot and nights are cool.
  • This season experiences October heat, which is caused by high temperatures and humidity.

Rainfall Distribution in India

  • Altitude and distance from the sea affect rainfall distribution.
  • Areas with high rainfall can cause flooding.
  • Areas with low rainfall lead to drought.
  • Parts of western coast and northeast India receive over 400 cm of rainfall annually.
  • Rainfall is less than 60 cm in western Rajasthan, Haryana, and Punjab.
  • Rainfall is also low in the interior Deccan plateau and east of the Sahyadris.
  • Leh also has low rainfall.
  • The rest of the country receives moderate rainfall.
  • Snowfall is restricted to the Himalayan region.

Why India has a Monsoon Type of Climate

  • India has a monsoon type of climate because of the strong influence of the subtropical monsoon winds, which cause heavy rainfall when they blow from sea to land. The winter monsoon winds blow from the land to the sea.

Why Rainfall Decreases from East to West in Northern India

  • Low-pressure areas in northwestern India attract the southwest monsoon winds.
  • After shading moisture in southern India, the Bay of Bengal branch of the southwest monsoon strikes the Khasi and Garo Hills causing heavy rainfall on the windward slopes.
  • These winds then move towards west because of the lofty Himalayas and shade the leeward slopes, causing less rainfall.

Why Monsoon is Considered a Unifying Bond

  • The subcontinent of India has great variations in temperature conditions, despite the moderating influence created by other factors.
  • Monsoon has a unifying influence as it affects the entire country for agricultural activities and water supply.

Regional Variations in Indian Climate

  • There is a great regional variation in climatic conditions in India.
  • Rainfall/Precipitation varies from over 400 cm in Meghalaya to less than 10 cm in Ladakh and western Rajasthan.
  • Precipitation is in the form of rain or snowfall in mountains, while the larger part of the country experiences rain between June and September.

Northeast and Southwest Monsoon Differences

  • Northeast monsoon: Blows in winter (November to January), blows from land to sea, and brings dry conditions.
  • Southwest monsoon: Blows in summer (June to September), blows from sea to land, and brings moisture laden conditions.

Tamil Nadu Winter Rainfall

  • Tamil Nadu receives winter rainfall from the northeast monsoon, which blows from land to sea, and picks up moisture over the Bay of Bengal.
  • Causes rain on eastern coastal parts of Southern India.

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Chapter 4: Climate - PDF

Description

This quiz covers essential concepts related to weather and climate, including elements such as temperature, humidity, and precipitation. It also explores climatic controls and the characteristics of different seasons, such as the cold weather season in northern India. Test your understanding of these fundamental principles!

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