CHAPTER -4
Climate
CLIMATE
Itis the sum of weather conditions over a large area fora long time, say 30-40 years.
WEATHER
It is the state of the atmosphere over an area at a given time. It varies from place to
place and from tine to time.
Precipitation
Temperature Humidity
ELEMENTS OF
WEATHER &
CLIMATE
Atmospheric Wind
Pressure
Latitude
Altitude
Ocean
Currents
CLIMATIC
CONTROLS
Pressure
and
Relief Winds
Distance
from the
Sea
CLIMATE period of
of all the weather condition of a place for a long
It is defined as Sum total
based on the actual Atmospheric conditions. E.g., Equable
time (thirty years). It is not
climate, continental type climate etc.
weather as it is day -to -day atmospheric conditions at a place at a
It is different from
certain time.
ELEMENTS OF WEATHER AND CLIMATE
Temperature
Atmospheric Pressure
Humidity
Precipitation
Winds
MONSOON
The word 'monsoon' has been derived from the Arabic word Mausim' which refers.
to the seasonal reversal of the wind direction i.e. from North-east trade winds to
South-west moisture laden winds.
" India has a tropical Monsoon type of climate.
EACTORS AFFECTING INDIA'S CLIMATE
FACTORS AFFECTING INDIA'S CLIMATE
Latitude Altitude Pressure and Winds
Pressure and
Surface Winds Western Cyclonic
Disturbances
Upper Air Tropical Cyclones
Circulation
THE INDIAN MONSOON
MONSOONS
Refers to the seasonal reversal in the wind direction during a year.
IMPORTANT FACTS TOUNDERSTAND THE MECHANISM OF MONSOON
Differential
heating and Shift in the
cooling of position of
land and ITCZ
water
High Tibetan
Pressure Plateau gets
area East of intensely
Madagascar heated
Movement of Tropical
the Westerly Easterly Jet
Jet Streams to Stream over
the North of the Indian
the Himalayas. Peninsula
SEASONS OF INDIA INDIA
SEASONS IN
FOUR
RAINY TRANSITION
SUMMER (June - September) (October -
WINTER November)
(November - (March - May)
February)
Winds:
Southeast Trade
Temp:
Warm
Temp:Increases from
Temp: South to North. Winds. Pressure:
Decreases Rainfall: South Initially low
from South to Winds: Loo - North
North & Northwestern West Monsoon gradually
Weather: Parts, Kaal Baisakhi brings rainfall in replaced
high.
by
Warm West Bengal, Mango entire country,
days. Kerala and
cold nights. Showers except North Weather:
frost in North. Karnataka. West. Hot days.
snowfalI in Pressure: Low Breaks in cool nights.
Monsoon wet moist air.
Himalayas.
Winds: and dry spells. October
Northeast Tropical heat: Caused
trade winds. Depressions due to high
Rainfall:
Irregular, temperature
Cyclonic uncertain and and
disturbances
cause winter
erratic monsoons. humidity.
rainfall,
locally called
'Mahawat'
important for
Rabi crops.
CHARACTERISTICS OF MONSOON IN INDIA
In India most of the rain is received from south-wet monsoons. The main characteristics cf
South-West monsoons are:
Uncertain Rainfall
The monsoons break too early or too late. Sometimes monsoons start early. resulting in floods.
Often, the onset of the monsoons is delayed resulting in droughts.
" Uneven Distribution
The rainfall is unevenly distributed over the country. Some parts of
India, receive heavy rainlall
while others receive moderate or scanty rainfall.
. V'ariable Rainfall
The annual aintall is highly variable tonn vear to ver. As such, while aras ol high
Paintallre liable to be attected by tloods. Areas of lovW ranall are drought prone.
MONSOON ACTS AS A UNIFYING BOND
Monsoons are having many variations in their time of arival, withdrawal, amount of
rainfall. dry spell and duration. But despite these variations. they have a unilying.
influence on the Indian Subcontinent:
Seasonal cvcles
The cycle of ourseasons depends upon the time of arrival and withdrawal of monsoons.
Agricultural cvcles
The agricultural seasons of Rabi and Kharif crop also depend upon the arival and
withdrawal of the monsoons.
" Festivals
Most of our festivals are harvest festivals, sowing and harvesting of crops too is
governed by monsoons.
" Flora and Fauna
Monsoon decreases in intensity from South to North and East to West. The vegetation
also changes from Evergreen to Thony.
Economy:
Indian economy is an agricultural economy. The success and failure of the agricultural
season determines the growth of our economy.
MAP WNORK IN D |A
ANNUAL RAINFALL
MMU
KASHATIR CHI N A
HIMACHAL
PRADESH
JNACHAL
PUNJAB ADESH
PAKISTAN UTTARAKHAND A
PRADES
ARYANA
"sioxmBHUTAN ASSAM
NEPAL
DEL
HAGALAND
UrTAR PRADESH
SMEGHALY .
RAJASTHAN
BIHAR HNIPUR
BANGLALDESH
TRIPUÁL MI}ORAM
JHAROHAND WEST
MADHYA PRADESH BENGA
MYANMAR
GJARAT
obSNA
DADRA HAVELI
4 MAHARASHTRA
NAGAR
LEGEND
TELANGANA
Average
Annual Rainfal
GOA ANDHRA
(ln centimeters)
RADESA
KARNATAKA ANOAMAN
800- 1000 NICOBA &
400 - 800
200 - 400
160 - 200
120 - 160
TAMIL NADU
100 - 120
80 - 100
60- 80
SRI 40 60
Msp not to Scala JLANKA 20 40
Copyright 2014 www.mapsoflndla.com 0 - 20
(Updated on 2nd Juno 2
ASSIGNMENT
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS:
1. Which of the following months are the oldest months in the northern parts of India?
a) October - November
b) November- December
c) December - January
d) January - February
2. Assertion: The hillsare cooler during summer times.
Reason: At higher altitudes, the atmosphere becomes less dense and temperature
decreases.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct
explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, and R is not the correct
explanation of A.
c) A is true but R is false.
d) A is false but R is true.
2 Which of the following factors does NOT influence the climate of a placc?
a)Altitude
b) Distance from the sea
c) Longitude
d) Ocean currents
Which region of India is most affected by Kaal Baisakhi storms?
a) Coastal regions of Kerala
b) Northern plains of India
c) Western Ghats
d) Deccan Plateau
5. What is the primary cause of the Mahawat winds?
a) Low pressure over the Indian Ocean
b) High pressure over the Indian Ocean
c) Movement of the Earth's axis
d) Local heating and cooling of landmasse
Answers:
1.C) 2. A) 3. C) 4. B) 5. A)
VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS [1 MARK]:
4. Distinguish between weather and climate.
5. What does the word 'Monsoon' mean?
6. What is the variation of annual precipitation in India?
7. Why do the coastal areas of India experience less contrast in temperature?
8. Why is there a decrease in rainfall from east to west in the Northern Plains?
9. How does the temperature decrease with altitude?
10. Which parallel of latitude passes through the center of India?
11. What is the Coriolis force?
12. What are jet streams?
13. What are sub-tropical westerly jet streams?
14. What are western cyclonic disturbances?
15. Why are houses in Assam built on silt?
16. Name the local winds blowing in summer.
LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (3 MARKS]:
from each other?
1. Define climate and weather. How do they differ
characteristics of the monsoon climate?
2. Explain the term 'monsoon'. What are the
climate of a place.
3. Describe the role of latitude in determining the
Mountain range
in influencing the cl1mat.
Himalayan
significnnce ofthe
the
1. What is subcontinent?
of the Indian Effect' and its impact on Earth's
'Greenhouse
concept of tlhe
5. Briefly explain the
r'egions? Provide an example.
climate. coastal
the climate of
currents affect is formed and give an example.
6. How do ocean Explain how it
'rain shadow area. climate of a region.
7. Define the term regulating the
vegetation in
importance of weather patterns?
S. Discuss the effects on global
its
'El Niño'. What are areas.
9. Explain the term
and its impact on coastal
characteristics of acyclone
the
10. Describe
.5 MARKSE
ANSWER TYPE OUESTIONS
LONG
on
1. Write ashort note
The Summer Season
Season
b. The Winter
The Advancing Monsoon
C.
d. Retreating Monsoon
Unifying Bond
e. Monsoon as a India? Mention any five reasons.
distribution of rainfall uneven in
2. Why is the latitude, altitude
influence the climate of aplace. How doclimate?
that
3. Explain the factorssea, and wind and ocean currents affect the Indian cimata
distance from the
types of rainfall in India. How does the
different
4. Describe themonsoonal and cyclonic rainfall patterns?
exhibit both
the southwest
significance of the monsoon winds in India. How docountry?
5. Discuss the impact the climate and economy of
the
and northeast monsoons
concept of the 'Greenhouse Effect' and its impact on global climate
6. Explain the warming?
change. What are the causes and consequences of global
Thar
Compare and contrast the climate of the Himalayan region with that of the
7. the climate of these regions?
Desert. How do geographical features influence
Discuss the measures that
8. Describe the characteristics and formation of cyclones.
can be taken to mitigate the impact of cyclones on coastal areas.
does deforestation
9. Analyze the role of vegetation in influencing climate. How
contribute to changes in regional climate patterns?
and
10. Discuss the impact of climate change on agriculture, water resources,
biodiversity in India. What measures can be taken to adapt to and mitigate tne
effects of climate change?
