Climates of India

1. Difference between Weather and Climate

  • Weather → Daily atmospheric condition of a place (temperature, rainfall, humidity, wind, pressure).
    Example: Today it is raining in Delhi.

  • Climate → Average weather condition of a place over a long period (usually 30–40 years).
    Example: Rajasthan has hot and dry climate.

2. Seasons in India

India traditionally recognizes six seasons (based on the Hindu calendar):

  1. Vasanta (Spring) – Feb–March → pleasant weather.

  2. Grishma (Summer) – April–May → very hot.

  3. Varsha (Rainy/Monsoon) – June–Sept → heavy rains.

  4. Sharad (Autumn) – Oct–Nov → clear skies, pleasant.

  5. Hemanta (Pre-winter) – Dec–Jan → cool.

  6. Shishir (Winter) – Dec–Feb → cold and dry.

(NCERT simplifies these into 4 major: Summer, Rainy, Autumn, Winter – but India’s monsoon season is unique and very important.)

3. Types of Climate in India

India’s diverse geography creates different climate zones:

  • Alpine Climate – Himalayas (cold, snow, short summers).

  • Subtropical Climate – Northern Plains (hot summers, cold winters).

  • Arid Climate – Thar Desert (scanty rainfall, very hot).

  • Semi-Arid Climate – Central Deccan Plateau (moderate rainfall, dry).

  • Tropical Wet Climate – Western Coast and North-East (heavy rainfall, hot and humid).

4. Factors Affecting India’s Climate

  1. Latitude – Nearer to equator → hotter; farther → cooler.

    • Eg: Chennai is hotter than Kashmir.

  2. Altitude (Height above sea level) – Higher → cooler.

    • Eg: Shimla is cooler than Delhi though on same latitude.

  3. Distance from the Sea – Coastal areas have moderate climate, inland areas have extreme climate.

    • Eg: Mumbai (mild), Nagpur (extreme).

  4. Relief / Topography – Physical features like mountains, valleys affect rainfall and temperature.

    • Eg: Himalayas block cold winds from Central Asia and bring monsoon rainfall.

  5. Winds –

    • Winds from land → sea are dry (winter monsoon).

    • Winds from sea → land bring rain (summer monsoon).

5. Local Climate Variations (Microclimates)

  • Microclimate = Local climate different from surroundings.

    • Eg: Shady areas cooler than open fields.

  • Urban Heat Island Effect → Cities are hotter than nearby villages due to concrete, pollution, vehicles.

6. Monsoon in India

  • Word ‘Monsoon’ → from Arabic Mausam meaning “season.”

  • Summer Monsoon (SW Monsoon)

    • June–Sept.

    • Winds blow from sea to land.

    • Heavy rainfall in West Coast, North-East, Ganga plains.

  • Winter Monsoon (NE Monsoon)

    • Oct–Feb.

    • Winds blow from land to sea.

    • Generally dry, but Tamil Nadu coast receives rainfall.

Rainfall extremes:

  • Mawsynram (Meghalaya) – ~11,000 mm → wettest place in the world.

  • Thar Desert (Rajasthan) – very little rainfall.

7. Natural Disasters Linked to Climate

  1. Floods – Due to heavy rainfall; common in Assam, Bihar.

  2. Droughts – Due to monsoon failure; common in Rajasthan, Maharashtra.

  3. Cyclones – Powerful storms in Bay of Bengal/Arabian Sea; Eg: Cyclone Amphan (2020).

  4. Glacial Bursts – Sudden melting of glaciers; Eg: Uttarakhand (2013).

  5. Forest Fires – In dry hilly regions like Uttarakhand.

8. Climate and Human Life

  • Agriculture: Monsoon determines crop cycles (rice, wheat, pulses).

  • Economy: Drought → crop loss; good monsoon → prosperity.

  • Culture: Festivals are linked to seasons (Baisakhi, Pongal, Onam, Diwali).

  • Tourism: Hill stations in summer, beaches in winter.

9. Climate Change

  • Definition: Long-term change in temperature and rainfall patterns.

  • Causes:

    • Greenhouse gases (CO₂, methane).

    • Deforestation.

    • Industrial pollution, vehicles.

  • Effects in India:

    • Rising temperatures.

    • Erratic monsoon (floods/droughts).

    • Melting Himalayan glaciers.

    • Rising sea level in coastal states.

10. Measures to Reduce Climate Problems

  1. Plant more trees (afforestation).

  2. Reduce use of coal and petrol, use solar/wind energy.

  3. Conserve water through rainwater harvesting.

  4. Disaster preparedness with early warning systems.

  5. Public awareness campaigns for eco-friendly lifestyle.

✅ Summary Flow:

Weather (daily) → Climate (long-term) → Seasons (cyclic changes).
Climate of India varies (alpine, subtropical, arid, semi-arid, tropical wet).
Controlled by latitude, altitude, sea, winds, relief.
Unique monsoon system governs rainfall.
Climate deeply influences agriculture, economy, culture, disasters.
But climate change due to human activities is a growing threat.