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Questions and Answers
What is the highest temperature that can be observed in the Thar Desert?
What is one characteristic feature of the climate in the Thar Desert?
How is the annual precipitation in Meghalaya characterized?
Which type of seasonal climate does India primarily experience?
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What does the term 'monsoon' refer to?
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During which months is rainfall generally received in most parts of India?
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Which region of India tends to receive rainfall during October and November?
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Which of the following statements about precipitation in India is true?
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What effect do ocean currents and onshore winds have on coastal areas?
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What causes the winds originating from the subtropical high-pressure belt to deflect to the right in the northern hemisphere?
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When does the cold weather season begin in northern India?
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Which months are considered the coldest in northern India?
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What is the average temperature range in Chennai during the cold weather season?
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How does the temperature in the northern plains compare to that of Chennai during winter?
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What is the primary characteristic of the winds that originate over land and blow southwards?
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What factor leads to India not being an arid land despite the prevailing winds?
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What characterizes the monsoon type of climate?
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What are the main seasons identified in India?
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What influences the cold season temperature in the peninsular region of India?
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What is the effect of the northward movement of the sun during the hot weather season?
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What happens to the low-pressure systems that originated over the Mediterranean Sea?
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Why is the winter rainfall, known as ‘mahawat’, significant despite being small in amount?
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What is the primary source of the southeast trade winds during the rainy season?
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When does the hot weather season typically occur in India?
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What are the 'Kaal Baisakhi' storms known for in West Bengal?
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What is a likely result of the movement of the monsoon trough?
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What is commonly referred to as 'mango showers'?
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What phenomenon brings temporary relief during the monsoon?
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What determines the spatial distribution of rainfall during the monsoon?
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What happens when the low-pressure conditions shift to the Bay of Bengal?
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Which of the following best describes the pre-monsoon showers towards the end of the summer?
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What negative impact can heavy rains from monsoon depressions lead to?
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Which regions of India are identified as drought-prone areas?
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What is a characteristic feature of the cold season in India?
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Which of the following statements accurately describes the monsoon rainfall in India?
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What type of climatic data should be represented to compare different weather stations effectively?
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Which characteristic is associated with areas receiving more than 400 cm of rainfall?
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Which two stations are most likely to have the most extreme climate conditions?
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Which of the following is a common activity associated with studying climatic conditions in India?
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Which of the following best describes the influence of retreating monsoons?
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Study Notes
Climate of India
- Thar Desert experiences significant temperature fluctuations within a day, while Andaman and Nicobar Islands have minimal temperature variation.
- India experiences diverse precipitation patterns, ranging from snowfall in the Himalayas to heavy rainfall in Meghalaya.
- Annual precipitation varies from over 400 cm in Meghalaya to less than 10 cm in Ladakh and western Rajasthan.
- Most parts of India receive rainfall from June to September, except Tamil Nadu coast which receives a large portion of its rain during October and November.
- Ocean currents and onshore winds influence the climate of coastal areas, causing warming or cooling depending on the current.
Seasons in India
- The monsoon climate is characterized by distinct seasonal patterns with significant weather changes.
- Four main seasons: Cold weather season (Winter), Hot weather season (Summer), Advancing Monsoon (Rainy Season), and Retreating Monsoon.
Cold Weather Season (Winter)
- Beginning in mid-November and lasting till February.
- December and January are the coldest months.
- Temperatures decrease from south to north.
- Average temperature in Chennai: 24°– 25° Celsius.
- Average temperature in northern plains: 10°C to 15° Celsius.
- Days are warm and nights are cold.
- Winter rainfall, known as 'mahawat', is crucial for 'rabi' crops.
- The peninsular region does not have a well-defined cold season.
Hot Weather Season (Summer)
- From March to May.
- Due to the northward movement of the Sun, the global heat belt shifts northwards.
- Temperatures rise significantly, reaching fatal levels in some areas.
- Dust storms are common in May, bringing temporary relief with light rain and cool breeze.
- Local thunderstorms with violent winds and torrential downpours occur.
- Pre-monsoon showers are common in Kerala and Karnataka, known as 'mango showers'.
Advancing Monsoon (The Rainy Season)
- Begins in early June.
- Low-pressure conditions over the northern plains intensify, attracting trade winds from the southern hemisphere.
- South-east trade winds originate over the warm subtropical areas of the southern oceans.
- Monsoon rains are intermittent, occurring for a few days at a time with rainless intervals.
- Breaks in the monsoon are related to the movement of the monsoon trough, which determines the spatial distribution of rainfall.
- Heavy rains can lead to devastating floods in the plains.
- Frequency and intensity of tropical depressions influence the amount and duration of monsoon rains.
Retreating Monsoon
- Low-pressure conditions over north-western India shift to the Bay of Bengal by early November.
- Cyclonic depressions originate over the Andaman Sea and cross the eastern coasts of India, causing heavy and widespread rain.
- Parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and the leeward side of the Western Ghats are drought-prone.
Regional Variation in India's Climate
- India's climate varies significantly across different regions due to factors like latitude, altitude, and proximity to the sea.
- Areas with higher altitude experience lower temperatures.
- Coastal regions generally have more moderate temperatures due to the moderating influence of the sea.
- These variations influence the distribution of flora and fauna, agricultural practices, and human settlements.
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