DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL RUBY PARK, KOLKATA

CLASS IX
SESSION 2024-25
GEOGRAPHY STUDY MATERIAL
CHAPTER: INDIA - CLIMATE
CLIMATE

Climate refers to the sum total of weather conditions and variations over a large area for a
long period of time.

WEATHER

It refers to state of atmosphere over an area at any point of time. It is the total of weather
conditions for limited area.

The elements of weather and climate are temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind, humidity
and precipitation.

INDIAN CLIMATE - FEATURES

• The climate of India is monsoon type.

•Monsoon is derived from the term ‘mausim’ which means season and it refers to the
seasonal reversal in the wind direction during a year.

•In Asia, this type of climate is found mainly in south and south-east.

VARIATION IN INDIAN CLIMATE

In summer the temperature of Rajasthan is about 50’C but in Jammu & Kashmir it’s 20’c.

In winter at Jammu & Kashmir the temperature is -45’C but in Thiruvananthapuram its 22’C.

While precipitation is in the form of snowfall in upper parts of Himalayas, it rains over the
rest of country.

Most parts receive rainfall from June to July but some like Tamil Nadu receive it even in the
season of October and November.

CLIMATIC CONTROLS

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The major controls of climate are:

1.Latitude: Due to curvature of earth the amount of solar energy received varies according to
latitude.

2.Altitude: As we go higher there is a decrease in temperature due to lapse rate.

3.Pressure and Wind system: As per latitude and altitude temperature and pressure varies
which in turn also influences the climate.

4.Distance from sea: The sea exerts moderating influence on climate, regions near sea
experiences moderate climate.

5.Ocean Currents: It influences coastal locations.

FACTORS AFFECTING INDIAN CLIMATE

1.Latitude:

Tropic of cancer almost divides the country in two equal parts running from Rann of
Kachchh to Mizoram.

The region lying in the south of tropic of cancer is tropical whereas the region in north is in
sub-tropical.

Therefore, India receives both tropical as well as sub-tropical climate.

2.Altitude:

India has mountains in north with average height of 6000m and coast line of about 30m.

The Himalayas act as a barrier to enter winds in India from Central Asia.

That’s why it experiences mild winters as compare to Central Asia.

3.Pressure and Winds

It is further divided in three parts.

•Pressure and surface winds

•Upper air circulation

•Western disturbances

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Pressure and surface winds: India lies in the region of north-easterly winds which originate
from the sub-tropical high-pressure belts in the northern hemisphere and blow towards the
equator. These winds are deflected to right due to Coriolis force.

4.Upper air circulation: Jet streams are part of upper air circulation.

An easterly jet stream at a mean height of 14 to 16 Kms is formed towards the end of June
over the Indian Peninsula in the south-west monsoon season over the latitudes of 10 to 15
degrees North. It has been found that when this jet stream is strong the monsoon is very
active. However, it has been found that when this jet stream shifts to the north, weak
monsoon conditions prevail.

Another sub-tropical westerly jet stream is formed along the latitude of 27 degrees North
during winter at an average height of 12 Kms. This sub-tropical jet adds to the rainfall
activity in north and north-west India. We call this the Western disturbances. This brings
snowfall in the mountains and light showers of rain to the northern plains and a cold wave
condition prevails.

5.Western disturbances: During the time of winter cyclone formation takes place in the
‘Mediterranean Sea region’ whose winds after crossing Pakistan and Afghanistan they finally
reach Jammu and Kashmir leads to rainfall in winter there.

THE SEASONS

The monsoon type of climate is characterised by a distinct seasonal pattern.

The weather conditions greatly change from one season to the other. The coastal areas do not
experience much variation in temperature though there is variation in rainfall pattern. Four
main seasons can be identified in India-

The cold weather season, hot weather season, the advancing monsoon and the retreating
monsoon

THE COLD WEATHER SEASON (WINTER)

1. The cold weather season begins from mid-November in northern India and stays till
February.

2. December and January are the coldest months in the northern part of India.

3. The temperature decreases from south to the north.

4. Days are warm and nights are cold.

5. Frost is common in the north and the higher slopes of Himalayas experience snowfall.

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6. The northeast trade winds blow from land to sea and hence, for most part of the country, it
is a dry season.

7. Some amount of rainfall occurs on the Tamil Nadu coast from these winds as, here they
blow from sea to land.

8. The weather is normally marked by clear sky, low temperatures and low humidity and
feeble variable winds.

9. A characteristic feature of the cold weather season over the northern plains is an inflow of
cyclonic disturbances from the west and the northwest.

10.They cause the much- needed winter rains over the plains and snowfall in the mountains.

11.Total amount of winter rainfall locally known as ‘mahawat’ is small; they are of immense
importance for the cultivation of ‘rabi’ crops.

12. The peninsular region does not have well-defined cold season.

THE HOT WEATHER SEASON (SUMMER)

1. From March to May, it is hot weather season in India.

2. The influence of shifting of the heat belt can be seen clearly from temperature recordings
taken during March- May at different latitudes.

3. In peninsular India, temperature remain lower due to the moderating influence of the
oceans.

4.The summer months experience rising temperature and falling air pressure in the northern
part of the country.

5. Towards the end of May, an elongated low-pressure area develops in the region extending
from the Thar Desert in the northwest to Patna and Chotanagpur plateau and southeast.

6. The striking feature of the hot weather season is the ‘loo’. These are strong, gusty, hot, dry
winds blowing during the day over the north and north western India.

7. Dust storms are very common during the month of May in northern India. These storms
bring temporary relief as they lower the temperature and may bring light rain and cool breeze.

8. In West Bengal, these storms are known as ‘Kaal Baisakhi’.

9. Towards the close of the summer season, pre-monsoon showers are common especially, in
Kerala and Karnataka.

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ADVANCING MONSOON

1. Early in the season, the windward side of the Western Ghats receives very heavy rainfall,
more than 250cm.
2. The Deccan Plateau and parts of Madhya Pradesh also receive some amount of rain in
spite of lying in the rain shadow area.
3. The maximum rainfall of this season is received in the north-eastern part of the country.
4. Rainfall in the Ganga valley decreases from the east to the west. Rajasthan and parts of
Gujarat get scanty rainfall.
5. The breaks in the monsoon are related to the movement of the monsoon trough.
6. The trough and its axis keep on moving northward or southward. When the axis of the
monsoon trough lies over the plains and widespread rain occur in the Himalayan Rivers.
7. Mawsynram in the southern ranges of the Khasi Hills receives the highest average rainfall
in the world.

RETREATING MONSOONS

1. During October-November, the monsoon trough or the low-pressure trough over the
northern plains becomes weaker. This is gradually replaced by a high-pressure system.
2. The south-east monsoon winds weaken and start withdrawing gradually. By the beginning
of the October, the monsoon withdraws from the Northern Plains.
3. The months of October-November form a period of transition from hot rainy season to
dry winter conditions. The retreat of the monsoon is marked by clear skies and rise in
temperature.
4. While day temperatures are high, nights are cool and pleasant. Owing to the conditions of
high temperature and humidity, the weather becomes rather oppressive during the day.
This is known as “OCTOBER HEAT”.

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5. The low-pressure conditions, over north-western India, get transferred to the Bay of
Bengal by early November.
6. This shift is associated with the occurrence of cyclonic depressions, which originates over
the Andaman Sea. These cyclones generally cross the eastern coasts of India cause heavy
and widespread rain. These tropical cyclones are often very destructive.
7. The thickly populated deltas of the Godavari, the Krishna and the Kaveri are frequently
struck by cyclones, which cause great damage to life and property.

DISTRIBUTION OF RAINFALL

There are three regions-based rainfall: -

• Low rainfall (Less than 50 cm.)

• Average rainfall (Between 50 to 250 cm.)
• High rainfall (More than 250 cm.)

1. Parts of western coast and northern India receive over about 400 cm of rainfall annually.

2. It is less than 60cm in western Rajasthan and adjoining parts of Gujarat, Haryana and
Punjab.

3. Rainfall is equally low in the interior of Deccan plateau, and east of the Sahyadri.

4. The rest of the country receives moderate rainfall. Snowfall is restricted to the Himalayan
region.

Because of the nature of monsoons, the annual rainfall is highly variable from year to year.
Variability is high in the regions of low rainfall such as parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat and
leeward (rain shadow area) side of the Western Ghats. While the areas of high rainfall are
responsible to be affected by the floods and the areas of low rainfall are drought- prone.

While it causes heavy floods in one part, it may be responsible for droughts in the other. It is
often irregular in its arrival and its retreat. Hence, it sometimes disturbs the farming schedule
of millions of farmers all over the country.

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q1. Name the controls affecting the climate of any place.

Ans: There are six major controls of the climate of any place. They are:

• Latitude
• Altitude
• Pressure and Wind System
• Distance from the Sea
• Ocean Currents
• Relief Features.

Q2. What are the elements of weather and climate?

Ans: There are the five major elements of weather and climate, i.e. Temperature,
Atmospheric Pressure, Wind, Humidity and Precipitation

Q3. Define monsoons. What do you understand by "break" in monsoon?

Ans: The seasonal reversal in wind direction during a year is called monsoon. The word
"Monsoon" has been derived from an Arabic word called "Mausim" which means "Season".
Monsoon tends to have 'breaks' in rainfall; which means that there are wet and dry spells in
between. The monsoon rains take place only for a few days at a time and then come the
rainless intervals.

Q4. Give an account of weather conditions and characteristics of the cold weather
season.
Ans: Following are the features of the cold season:
(a) The winter season begins from mid-November and till February; in northern India.
December and January are the coldest months.
(b) The temperature goes low in the northern plains, while moderate in Chennai.
(c) As the northeast trade winds blow from land to sea, most parts of the country experience a
dry season.
(d) The weather is usually marked by clear sky, low temperatures and low humidity and weak
variable winds.
(e) The inflow of the cyclonic disturbances from the west and the northwest is a characteristic
feature of the cold weather over the northern plains.
(f) These low-pressure over the Mediterranean Sea and Western Asia move into India that
causes winter rains over the plains and snowfall in the mountains.
(g) The winter rainfall is in small amount but is very important for the rabi crop. This rainfall
is locally known as “mahawat”.
(h) The peninsular region does not get a well-defined winter because of the moderating
influence of the sea.

Q5. Write the characteristics of the retreating monsoon or the transition season.
Ans: Following are the characteristics of the retreating monsoon or the transition season:
(a) During October-November, the sun apparently moves towards the south. Thus, the
monsoon trough over the northern plains becomes weaker and the south-west monsoon winds

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start withdrawing. The monsoon withdraws from the northern plains by the beginning of
October.
(b) The retreat of the monsoon is marked by clear skies and rise in temperature. Day
temperatures are high, nights are cool and pleasant.
(c) High temperature and humidity, makes the weather quite uncomfortable during the day.
This is commonly known as "October Heat".
(d) The temperature begins to fall rapidly in northern India by the second half of October.
(e) The low-pressure conditions over north western India move to the Bay of Bengal by early
November.
(f) This shift leads to cyclonic depressions over the Andaman Sea. These cyclones usually
cross the eastern coasts of India and cause heavy and widespread rain. These cyclones may
also arrive at the Coasts of Orissa, West Bengal and Bangladesh.
(g) These cyclones contribute to the bulk of the rainfall of the Coromandel Coast.

Q6. Describe the onset and withdrawal of the monsoons in India.

Ans: Onset:
(a) Generally, the monsoon arrives at the southern tip of the Indian peninsular by the first
week of June. Subsequently, it divides into two branches, viz. the Arabian Sea branch and the
Bay of Bengal branch.
(b) The Arabian Sea branch reaches Mumbai about ten days later, i.e. around 10th of June.
The Bay of Bengal rapidly advances and reaches Assam in the first week of June.
(c) The monsoon winds are then deflected by high mountains and move towards west over
the Ganga plains. The Arabian Sea branch of the monsoon arrives over Saurashtra-Kachchh
and central part of the country by mid-June.
(d) The Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal branches of the monsoon merge over the north
western part of the Ganga plains.
(e) Delhi usually receives monsoon showers from the Bay of Bengal branch by the end of
June.
(f) Western Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and eastern Rajasthan experience monsoon by
the first week of July. The monsoon reaches Himachal Pradesh and the rest of the country by
mid-July.

Withdrawal: Withdrawal or the retreat of the monsoon is a more gradual process.

(a) The monsoon begins to withdraw from the north western states of India by early
September.
(b) The monsoon withdraws completely from the northern part of the Indian peninsular by
mid-October.
(c) The monsoon withdraws from the rest of the country by early December.
(d) The islands receive the very first monsoon showers from the first week of April to the
first week of May; progressively from south to north. The withdrawal of monsoon in the
islands takes place from the first week of December to the first week of January.

Q7. India's climate has characteristics of tropical as well as sub-tropical climates.

Justify.
Ans: The sum total of weather conditions and variations over a large area for a long period of
time (more than thirty years) is called climate.
India extends from 8o4'N to 37o6'N latitude and Tropic of Cancer (23o30'N) divides the

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country into almost two equal halves. The part lying in the south of tropic of cancer is near to
equator and thus experiences tropical type of climate (i.e. hot and humid). Whereas the part
lying in the north of tropic of cancer experiences sub-tropical type of climate. Here the
climate is characterized by wide range of temperature and rainfall. The summers are hot and
winters are cool.

Q8. Describe the regional variations in the climatic conditions of India with the help of
suitable examples.
Ans: There is regional variation in the climatic conditions of India. Temperature and
Precipitation vary from place to place and season to season.
(a) In summers the temperature rises up to 50°C in parts of Rajasthan, whereas it may be
around 20°C in Pahalgam in Kashmir.
(b) In winters night temperature in Drass in Kashmir may be minus 45°C, whereas in
Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala may have a temperature of 20°C.
(c) In Andaman Islands the difference between day and night temperature may be hardly 7° -
8°C.
(d) Coastal areas experience less contrast in the temperature, whereas seasonal contrasts are
more in the interior of the country.
(e) There is decrease in rainfall generally from east to west in the northern plains.
(f) Most part of India get rainfall from June – September, whereas Coromandel Coast gets
rainfall in winter season.

Q10. Give the effects of the monsoon rainfall in India.

Ans: Effects of the monsoon rainfall in India:
(a) Agriculture in India largely depends on Indian monsoons for water. Late, low or excessive
rains have a negative impact upon crops.
(b) Due to uneven distribution of rainfall across the country, there are few places that are
drought prone and few are flood affected.
(c) The monsoon provides India with a diverse climatic pattern. Hence, in spite of the
presence of great regional variations, it has a unifying influence upon the country and its
people.

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