Chapter- 4

Climate

Q 1. What is climate?
Ans:- The climate refers to the sum total of weather conditions and variations
over a large area for a long period of time.

Q 2. What is weather?
Ans:- ‘Weather’ refers to the state of the atmosphere over an area at any point
of time.

Q 3. Name the elements of weather and climate.

Ans:- Temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind, humidity and precipitation.

Q 4. What does ‘monsoon’ imply?

Ans:- The word, ‘monsoon’ comes from the Arabic word’ mausim’ which
means season. It implies a seasonal reversal in the wind direction throughout
the year.

Q 5.Which are the rainiest months of India?

Ans:- June to September

Q 6.Name the month in which the withdrawal of monsoon begins.

Ans:- September

Q 7.Which region of India receives most of its rainfall in winter?

Ans:- Tamil Nadu coast.

Q 8.Name the two branches of the monsoon.

Ans:-

 The Arabian Sea branch.

 The Bay of Bengal branch.

Q 9.What is burst of monsoon?

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.
Q 10.What is the ‘retreating monsoons’?
Ans:- During the months of October and November, the temperature in the
Northern plains begins to decrease, and because of low temperature, the
pressure starts rising and the low pressure is no longer strong enough to
attract the monsoon winds. This results in the retreat of the monsoon.

Q 11.With reference to the ‘Cold weather season in India, answer the

following Question.
(i) What is its time period? (ii) Name the winds which prevail over the country
during this season.
Ans:- (i) Mid November to February. (ii) North-East trade winds.

Q 12.Name the winds from which the Tamil Nadu coast receive winter
rainfall?
Ans:- North-East monsoons which reach there after passing over the Bay of
Bengal, and picking moisture from there. .

Q 13.Name two coldest areas in India.

Ans:- Dras and Kargil (Temperature – 40°C)

Q 14.Which is the wettest place in India?

Ans:- Mawsynram in the southern ranges of the Khasi hills.

Q 15.What is a jet stream?

Ans:- A jet stream is a fast blowing wind blowing in a narrow zone in the upper
atmosphere.
Q 16.‘The peninsular region does not have a well defined cold season.’ Give
reason.
Ans:- Due to the moderating influence of the sea, the peninsular region does
not have a well defined cold season.

Q 17.Name two states where mango showers are common.

Ans:- Kerala and Karnataka.

Q 18.Name two states on the eastern coast which are frequently struck by
the tropical cyclones.
Ans:- Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

Q 19.What is meant by breaking of monsoon or burst of the monsoon?

Ans:- The rain bearing monsoons are extremely strong and violent. Their
approach is accompanied by thunder and lightning. This is known as the
Wreaking of monsoon.

Q 20.What is the name given to the climate of India?

Ans:- The Monsoon climate.

Q 21.What is loo?
Ans:- It is a local wind which is hot and dry.

Q 22.Name the wind which prevails over India in winter season.

Ans:- North-East trade winds.

Q 23.Two stations with most equable climate.

Ans:- Mumbai and Chennai.

Q 24.Two stations with most extreme climate.

Ans:- Leh and Jodhpur.

Q 25.Name any two regions which receive over 400 cm of rainfall.

Ans:- The Western coast and the North-eastern India receive over 400 cm of
rainfall.

Q 26.Name two stations influenced by the retreating and the North-East

monsoons.
Ans:- Chennai and Bengaluru.

Q 27. Two stations receiving winter showers from the western disturbances.
Ans:- Amritsar and Delhi.

Q 28.State two characteristics of the Western Disturbances?

Ans:-

 These originate over the east Mediterranean sea.

 These cause rain in North India.

Q 1.“ Despite an overall unity in the general pattern of climate of India, there
are perceptible regional variations in climatic conditions within the country.”
Justify.
Or
“India has diverse climatic conditions” Support this statement by giving
examples, each of temperature and precipitation.
Ans:-

 The mercury occasionally touches 50°C in the western deserts, and it

drops down to as low as -45°C in winter around Leh.
 The annual precipitation is less than 10 cm in the north-west Himalayas
and the western desert. It exceeds 400 cm in Meghalaya.
 Most parts of the country receive rainfall from June to September, but
some parts like the Tamil Nadu coast get most of its rain during October
and November.

Q 2. Explain the factors affecting India’s climate.

Ans:-

 Latitude : The Tropic of Cancer passes through the middle of the country
from the Rann of Kuchchh in the west to Mizoram in the east. 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-tropic.
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 i% about 30 metres. The Himalayas prevent the cold
winds from Central AsiafrQm 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 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 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.
Q 3.Mention any three characteristics of the Monsoon.
Ans:-

 The Monsoons are pulsating in nature.

 These are affected by different atmospheric conditions prevailing in the
region.
 The duration of the monsoon is between 100 – 120 days.

Q 4.What is “October Heat”?

Ans:- The months of October-November form a period of transition from a hot
rainy season to dry winter conditions. The retreat of monsoons is marked by
clear skies, and rise in temperature. The land is still moist. Owing to the
condition of high temperature and humidity, the weather becomes rather
oppressive. This is commonly known as ‘October Heat’.

Q 5.Explain development of Monsoon Trough and its influence over rainfall

distribution.
Ans:-

 It is a region of low atmospheric pressure which develops because of

excessive heat.
 It brings a remarkable change in rainfall pattern.
 It is responsible for diy and wet spells of monsoon.

Q6.Give reasons as to why:

(i) Seasonal reversal of wind direction takes place over the Indian
subcontinent.
(ii) The bulk rainfall in India is concentrated over a few months.
(iii) The Tamil Nadu coast receives winter rainfall.
(iv) The delta region of the eastern coast is frequently struck by cyclones.
(v) Parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat and the leeward side of the Western Ghats are
drought prone.
Ans:-
(i)

 During winter, there is a high pressure area over north of the . Himalayas.
Whereas, there is low pressure area over the ocean to the south. So cold
and dry winds blow from the Himalayan region towards the ocean.
  During summer, a low pressure area develops over the interior , Asia as
well %is over the Northwestern India. This causes a complete reversal of
the direction of winds during summer.
(ii)

 Most parts of India receive rainfall from the south-west monsoons which
blow in India only between June to September.
 Only the eastern coast of India receives some rainfall from the North-East
trade winds during the cold weather season.
 It is because Tamil Nadu gets rain from the north-east monsoons which
reach there after passing over the Bay of Bengal, after picking moisture
from there.
(iv)

 In the mid-October, the mercury

begins to fall at a rapid speed in Northern India.
 The low pressure conditions of the North shifts to the Bay of Bengal by
November. This shift causes cyclonic depressions in the Andaman Sea.
 These cyclonic depressions give rise to tropical cyclones which cause heavy
and widespread rains in the deltas of the Godavari, the Krishna and the
Kaveri.
(v)

 Rajasthan does not receive much rain because the Aravalli Range which
lies parallel to the direction of the winds and hence condensation does not
occur.
 Gujrat receives less rainfall because there are no hills and mountain
ranges.
The leeward side of the Western Ghats receives less rainfall because when
air descends, it gets warmed up. Due to its rising temperature, the
relative, humidity of air decreases, and the air turns from a saturated state
to an unsaturated state. Due to his fact, no rainfall occurs on the leeward
side.
Q.1. Compare the hot weather season of India with that of cold weather
season.
Ans:-

Q.2. How will you differentiate between the summer and winter monsoons?
Or
Differentiate between South-West and North-East trade winds.
Ans:-

Q. 1. Give reason for the following:

(i) Thiruvananthapuram has the year equable climate.
(ii) Delhi has extreme climate.
(iii) The Tamil Nadu coast receives winter rainfall.
(iv) Leh has moderate precipitation almost through-out the year.
(v) The delta region of the eastern coast is frequently struck by cyclones.
Ans:-
(i) It has equable climate due to proximity to sea. Sea has moderating influence
over its climate.
(ii) Because Delhi is far away from sea. As the distance from the sea increases,
its moderating influence decreases.
(iii) Tamil Nadu receives rainfall from North-east trade winds.
(iv) Leh is at a very high altitude. During the cold weather season, the ‘Western
Disturbances’ contribute to heavy snowfall in this region. Both south-west and
south¬east monsoons also cause precipitation in this part.
(ii) (a) In the mid October, the mercury begins to fall at a rapid speed in
Northern India.
(b)The low pressure conditions of the North shifts to the Bay of the Godavari,
the Krishna and the Kaveri.

Q.2. Carefully study the given rainfall and temperature graphs and answer
the following of Questions:
(i) Which station receives more rainfall?
Ans:- Shillong.
(ii) Which is the rainiest month of Shillong?
Ans:- June
(iii) Which is the coldest month in Leh?
Ans:- January
(iv) Compare the climatic conditions of both the stations with reference to
rainfall and temperature.
Ans:-

 Leh receives very low rainfall whereas Shillong receives very high rainfall.
 Temperature in Leh remains very low throughout the year whereas
temperature in Shillong remains between 10°C to 20°C.
Bengal by November. This shift causes cyclonic depressions in the
Andaman Sea.
 These cyclonic depressions give rise to tropical cyclones which cause
heavy and widespread rains in the deltas
Q.3.Study the climatic data given below and answer the Q that follow:

(i) Calculate the annual range of temperature of Station A. Why is the range of .
temperature very low?
(ii) Which of the two Stations has the lower temperature? Why?
(iii) Calculate the annual rainfall of Station B.
Ans:-
(i) 5.6 Because the station is near the sea.
(ii) Station B because of high altitude.
(iii) Annual rainfall of station B is 31.8 cm.

Q.4.Given below is the climate data – mean monthly temperatures and mean
monthly rainfall for stations A, B and C from India. Study the data carefully
and answer the following Question:

(i) What is the annual range of temperature in Station A?

Ans:- The annual range of temperature in Station A (32.5°C — 24.5°C) = 8°C
(ii) What is the annual rainfall experienced by the Station A?
Ans:- 4.6+1.3+ 1.3 = 128.7 cm.
(iii) Name the wettest month in Station A.
Ans:- November.
(iv) Calculate the annual rainfall of Station C.
Ans:- The annual rainfall of Station C is 183.4 cm. (0.2 + 0.2 + 1.8 + 50.6..)
Q.1. Which moral values the monsoon teaches us? Mention any two.
Ans:-

 Monsoon acts as a unifying bond.

 Monsoon are responsible for unity in diversity.

Q.2. Why the people of India eagerly awaits the arrival of the monsoon?
Ans:- These monsoon winds binds the whole country by providing water to set
the agricultural activities in motion.

Q.3.Compare he retreating monsoon with advancing monsoon.

Or
Mention any three features of retreating monsoon.
Or
Mention any four features of advancing monsoon.
Ans:-

Q.4.“Monsoon acts as a unifying bond”. Explain.

Ans:-

 The seasonal alteration of the wind systems and the associated weather
conditions provide a rhythmic cycle of seasons. Even the uncertainties of
rain and uneven distribution are very much typical of the monsoons.
 The Indian landscape, its animal and plant life, its entire agricultural
calendar arid the life of the people, including their festivities, revolves
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.