CLIMATE

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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.

2. Why is the climate of India described as the ‘monsoon’ type?


 Ans. ‘Monsoon’ refers to the seasonal reversal in the wind direction
during a year.
 The climate of India is strongly influenced by monsoon winds.
 Most parts of the country receive rainfall from June to September from
South West monsoon winds.
 Some parts like the Tamil Nadu coast gets a large portion of its rain
during October and November because of the seasonal reversal in the
wind direction.
 The seasonal alteration of the wind systems and the associated weather
conditions provide a rhythmic cycle of seasons in India.

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.

4. “ Despite an overall unity in the general pattern of climate of India,there are


perceptible regional variations in climatic conditions within the country.”
Justify with examples.
Ans. Despite an overall unity in the general pattern, there are perceptible
regional variations in climatic conditions within the country. Two important
elements – temperature and precipitation are examined to identify the variations
in climatic conditions from place to place and season to season.
 Temperature: In summer, the mercury occasionally touches 50°C in
some parts of the Rajasthan desert, whereas it may be around 20°C in
Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir.
 On a winter night, temperature at Drass in Jammu and Kashmir may be as
low as minus 45°C. Thiruvananthapuram, on the other hand, may have a
temperature of 22°C.

 Precipitation: Precipitation is mostly in the form of snowfall in the upper


parts of Himalayas and rainfall over the rest of the country.
 The annual precipitation varies from over 400 cm in Meghalaya to less
than 10 cm in Ladakh and western Rajasthan.
 Most parts of the country receive rainfall from June to September. But
some parts like the Tamil Nadu coast gets a large portion of its rain
during October and November.

5. Describe the six major controls of the climate of any place.


Ans. There are six major controls of the climate of any place.
 Latitude: Due to the curvature of the earth, the amount of solar energy
received varies according to latitude. As a result, air temperature
generally decreases from the equator towards the poles.
 Altitude: As one goes from the surface of the earth to higher altitudes,
the atmosphere becomes less dense and temperature decreases. The hills
are therefore cooler during summers.
 The pressure and wind system of any area depend on the latitude and
altitude of the place. Thus it influences the temperature and rainfall
pattern.
 Distance from the sea: As the distance from the sea increases, its
moderating influence decreases and the people experience extreme
weather conditions.
 Ocean currents: Ocean currents along with onshore winds affect the
climate of the coastal areas, For example, any coastal area with warm or
cold currents flowing past it, will be warmed or cooled if the winds are
onshore.
 Relief: High mountains act as barriers for cold or hot winds; they may
also cause precipitation if they are in the path of rain-bearing winds.

6. Explain the factors affecting India’s climate.


 Ans. Latitude: The Tropic of Cancer passes through the middle of the
country. Almost half of the country, lying south of the Tropic of Cancer,
belongs to the tropical area. All the remaining area, north of the Tropic,
lies in the sub-tropics. Therefore, India’s climate has characteristics of
tropical as well as subtropical climates.
 Altitude: India has mountains to the north, which have an average height
of about 6,000 metres. India also has a vast coastal area where the
maximum elevation is about 30 metres. The Himalayas prevent the cold
winds from Central Asia from entering the subcontinent. It is because of
these mountains that this subcontinent experiences comparatively milder
winters as compared to central Asia.
 Pressure and Winds: The climate and associated weather conditions in
India are governed by:
i) The pressure and wind conditions over India are unique.
During winter, there is a high-pressure area north of the Himalayas. Cold
dry winds blow from this region to the low-pressure areas over the oceans
to the south.
In summer, a low-pressure area develops over interior Asia, as well as,
over northwestern India. This causes a complete reversal of the direction
of winds during summer.
Air moves from the high-pressure area over the southern Indian Ocean, in
a south-easterly direction, crosses the equator, and turns right due to
Coriolis force towards the low-pressure areas over the Indian
subcontinent.
These are known as the Southwest Monsoon winds. These winds blow
over the warm oceans, gather moisture and bring widespread rainfall over
the mainland of India.
ii) The upper air circulation in this region is dominated by a westerly
flow. An important component of this flow is the jet stream.
iii) The western cyclonic disturbances experienced in the north and north
western parts of the country are brought in by this westerly flow.
Tropical depressions too, determine the amount and duration of monsoon
rains.

7. What is meant by the term ‘Monsoon’? Mention the main characteristics of


the monsoon.
Ans. The word monsoon is derived from the Arabic word ‘mausim’ which
literally means season. ‘Monsoon’ refers to the seasonal reversal in the wind
direction during a year.
 Monsoon winds are pulsating in nature.
 Around the time of its arrival, the normal rainfall increases suddenly and
continues constantly for several days. This is known as the ‘burst’ of the
monsoon.
 The monsoon is known for its uncertainties.
 The alternation of dry and wet spells vary in intensity, frequency and
duration.
 Monsoon has a tendency to have ‘breaks’ in rainfall.
 Thus, it has wet and dry spells. In other words, the monsoon rains take
place only for a few days at a time. They are interspersed with rainless
intervals.
 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.

8. Give an account of:


a) Cold Weather Season
b) Hot Weather Season
Ans. a) Cold weather season (Winter):
 The cold weather season begins from mid-November in northern India
and stays till February. December and January are the coldest months in
the northern part of India.
 The temperature decreases from south to the north.
 Days are warm and nights are cold. Frost is common in the north and the
higher slopes of the Himalayas experience snowfall.
 During this season, the northeast trade winds prevail over the country.
They blow from land to sea and hence, for most part of the country, it is a
dry season.
 Some amount of rainfall occurs on the Tamil Nadu coast from these
winds as, here they blow from sea to land.
 A characteristic feature of the cold weather season over the northern
plains is the inflow of cyclonic disturbances from the west and the
northwest.
 They cause the much-needed winter rains, locally known as ‘mahawat’.

b) Hot weather season (Summer):


 From March to May, it is hot weather season in India.
 The temperature recordings taken during March-May at different latitudes
- March, the highest temperature is about 38° Celsius, on the Deccan
plateau. April, temperatures in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh are around
42° Celsius. May, temperature of 45° Celsius is common in the north
western parts of the country.
 The summer months experience rising temperature and falling air
pressure in the northern part of the country.
 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 in the east and southeast. Circulation of air begins to
set in around this trough.
 A 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.
 This is also the season for localised thunderstorms. In West Bengal,
these storms are known as the ‘Kaal Baisakhi’.
 Towards the close of the summer season, pre-monsoon showers are
common especially, in Kerala and Karnataka.

9. Give reasons as to why.


(i) Seasonal reversal of wind direction takes place over the Indian subcontinent.
 Ans. The climate of India is strongly influenced by monsoon winds.
 The pressure and wind conditions over India are unique.
 During winter, there is a high-pressure area north of the Himalayas. Cold
dry winds blow from this region to the low-pressure areas over the oceans
to the south.
 In summer, a low-pressure area develops over interior Asia, as well as,
over north-western India. This causes a complete reversal of the direction
of winds during summer. Air moves from the high-pressure area over the
southern Indian Ocean, in a south-easterly direction, crosses the equator,
and turns right towards the low-pressure areas over the Indian
subcontinent. These are known as the South-west Monsoon winds. These
winds blow over the warm oceans, gather moisture and bring widespread
rainfall over the mainland of India.

(ii) The bulk of rainfall in India is concentrated over a few months.


 Ans. The duration of the monsoon is between 100-120 days from early
June to mid-September.
 By mid-July, the monsoon reaches Himachal Pradesh and the rest of the
country.
 By mid-October, it withdraws completely from the northern half of the
peninsula.
Hence, the bulk of rainfall in India is concentrated only over a few
months.

(iii) The Tamil Nadu coast receives winter rainfall.


 Ans. During the cold weather season (Winter), the north-east trade winds
prevail over the country.
 They blow from land to sea and hence, for most part of the country, it is a
dry season.
 Some amount of rainfall occurs on the Tamil Nadu coast from these
winds as, here they blow from sea to land.
 By early November, cyclonic depressions originate over the Andaman
Sea. These cyclones cross the eastern coasts of India cause heavy and
widespread rain.

(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.

11. Explain the inflow of the south-west monsoon into India.


Ans. The inflow of the south-west monsoon into India brings about a total
change in the weather.
 Early in the season, the windward side of the Western Ghats receive very
heavy rainfall, more than 250 cm.
 The Deccan Plateau and parts of Madhya Pradesh also receive some
amount of rain in spite of lying in the rain shadow area.
 The maximum rainfall of this season is received in the north-eastern part
of the country. Mawsynram in the southern ranges of the Khasi Hills
receives the highest average rainfall in the world.
 Rainfall in the Ganga valley decreases from the east to the west.
 Rajasthan and parts of Gujarat get scanty rainfall.

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.

13. Explain the Onset and advancement of monsoon in India.


 Ans. Around the time of its arrival, the normal rainfall increases suddenly
and continues constantly for several days. This is known as the ‘burst’ of
the monsoon.
 The monsoon arrives at the southern tip of the Indian peninsula generally
by the first week of June.
 It proceeds into two – the Arabian Sea branch and the Bay of Bengal
branch.
 The Arabian Sea branch reaches Mumbai approximately the 10 th of
June.
 The Bay of Bengal branch arrives in Assam in the first week of June.
 The lofty mountains causes the monsoon winds to deflect towards the
west over the Ganga plains.
 By mid-June the Arabian Sea branch of the monsoon arrives over
Saurashtra Kuchchh and the central part of the country.
 The Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal branches of the monsoon merge
over the northwestern part of the Ganga plains.
 Delhi generally receives the monsoon showers from the Bay of Bengal
branch by the end of June.
 By the first week of July, western Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and
eastern Rajasthan experience the monsoon.
 By mid-July, the monsoon reaches Himachal Pradesh and the rest of the
country.

14. “Withdrawal or the retreat of the monsoon is a more gradual process”.


Explain.
 Ans. The withdrawal of the monsoon begins in north-western states of
India by early September.
 By mid-October, it withdraws completely from the northern half of the
peninsula.
 By early December, the monsoon has withdrawn from the rest of the
country.
 In the islands the withdrawal, takes place progressively from north to
south from the first week of December to the first week of January.

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.

16. Explain the distribution of rainfall in India.


 Ans. Parts of western coast and north-eastern India receive over about
400 cm of rainfall annually.
 However, it is less than 60 cm in western Rajasthan and adjoining parts of
Gujarat, Haryana and Punjab.
 Rainfall is equally low in the interior of the Deccan plateau, and east of
the Sahyadris.
 A third area of low precipitation is around Leh in Jammu and Kashmir.
 The rest of the country receives moderate rainfall.
 Snowfall is restricted to the Himalayan region.
17. “Monsoon acts as a unifying bond”. Explain.
 Ans. The unifying influence of the monsoon on the Indian subcontinent is
quite perceptible.
 The Indian landscape, its animal and plant life, its entire agricultural
calendar and the life of the people, including their festivities, revolve
around this phenomenon.
 Year after year, people of India from north to south and from east to west,
eagerly await the arrival of the monsoon.
 These monsoon winds bind the whole country by providing water to set
the agricultural activities in motion.
 The river valleys which carry this water also unite as a single river valley
unit.

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