CLIMATE
CLIMATE
CLIMATE
1. Define climate and weather. What are the common elements between the
two?
Ans. Climate refers to the sum total of weather conditions and variations
over a large area for a long period of time (more than thirty years).
Weather refers to the state of the atmosphere over an area at any point of
time.
The common elements of weather and climate are i.e. temperature,
atmospheric pressure, wind, humidity and precipitation.
3. “In certain places there is a wide difference between day and night
temperatures on the other hand there are places where there is hardly any
difference in day night temperatures”. Give reasons with examples.
Ans. As the distance from the sea increases, its moderating influence
decreases and the people experience extreme weather conditions. This
condition is known as continentality (i.e. very hot during summers and
very cold during winters).
Example: In the Thar Desert the day temperature may rise to 50°C, and
drop down to near 15°C the same night.
The peninsular region does not have a well-defined cold season. There is
hardly any noticeable seasonal change in temperature pattern during
winters due to the moderating influence of the sea.
Example: There is hardly any difference in day and night temperatures in
the Andaman and Nicobar islands or in Kerala.
(iv) The delta region of the eastern coast is frequently struck by cyclones.
Ans. The low-pressure conditions, over north-western India, get
transferred to the Bay of Bengal by early November.
This shift is associated with the occurrence of cyclonic depressions,
which originate 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.
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.
Sometimes, these cyclones arrive at the coasts of Odisha, West Bengal
and Bangladesh.
The bulk of the rainfall of the Coromandel Coast is derived from
depressions and cyclones.
(v) Parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat and the leeward side of the Western Ghats are
drought prone.
Ans. Owing to 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 the leeward side of the Western Ghats.
As such, while areas of high rainfall are liable to be affected by floods,
areas of low rainfall are drought-prone.
10. Indian monsoon is highly unpredictable. Do you agree with the statement?
Give reasons in support of your answer.
Ans. The monsoon is known for its uncertainties.
The alternation of dry and wet spells vary in intensity, frequency and
duration.
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.
12. How does the movement of monsoon trough determine the spatial
distribution of rainfall?
Ans. The breaks in monsoon are related to the movement of the monsoon
trough.
For various reasons, the trough and its axis keep on moving northward or
southward, which determines the spatial distribution of rainfall.
When the axis of the monsoon trough lies over the plains, rainfall is good
in these parts.
On the other hand, whenever the axis shifts closer to the Himalayas, there
are longer dry spells in the plains, and widespread rain occur in the
mountainous catchment areas of the Himalayan rivers.
15. Write the characteristics of the retreating monsoon or the transition season.
Ans. During October-November, the monsoon trough over the northern
plains becomes weaker. This is gradually replaced by a high-pressure
system. The south-west monsoon winds weaken and start withdrawing
gradually.
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. While day temperatures are high, nights are cool and
pleasant. The land is still moist. Owing to the conditions of high
temperature and humidity, the weather becomes rather oppressive during
the day. This is commonly known as ‘October heat’.
In the second half of October, the mercury begins to fall rapidly in
northern India. The low-pressure conditions, over north-western India,
get transferred to the Bay of Bengal by early November. This shift is
associated with the occurrence of cyclonic depressions, which originate
over the Andaman Sea and cause heavy and widespread rain in the
eastern coasts of India.