Climate of India

Climate is total of weather conditions and variations over a large area for a very long period of time of more than thirty years. But how is weather different from climate? Weather refers to the state of the Atmosphere over an area at any given period of time. Weather can change throughout the day whereas the climate of a country is the same for many years.

The climate of India is described as monsoon type. This type of climate is found in south and southeast Asia. However, there are variations in climatic conditions in the country itself. The coastal regions of India show the least amount of difference between the temperatures of night and day. In the interior regions, the difference in temperatures of day and night is huge.

Climatic Controls

Climatic controls are the factors that control the variations in temperature in the climate of India. There are six major climatic controls. They are:

Latitude: As the earth is round, sunlight does not reach everywhere equally. The temperature decreases as we move from the equator to the poles.

Altitude: As we move from the surface of the earth to the higher altitudes, the temperature decreases.

Pressure and wind system: The pressure and wind system of any area depend on the latitude and altitude of that place. Thus, it influences the temperature accordingly.

Distance from the sea: Coastal regions are cooler as compared to interior regions. As the distance from the sea increases, its influence decreases and the people experience extreme weather conditions.

Ocean currents: Cold ocean currents flowing over a region will decrease the temperature of that area whereas warm currents will increase the temperature.

Relief features: Relief features are the barriers that block currents from entering the country. High Mountains act as barriers for cold or Hot Winds.

Factors affecting the Climate of India

Latitude

We know that Tropic of Cancer, which separates the tropical areas and the sub-tropical areas of the earth, passes through the middle of Rann of Kuchchh in the west to Mizoram in the east. Therefore, the climate of India has characteristics of both tropical and sub-tropical climates.

Altitude

India has very tall mountains of about 6000 metres. The Himalayas prevent the Cold Winds from central Asia from entering India. It is due to this reason that India has a milder winter as compared to central Asia.

Pressure and Winds

India has unique wind and pressure conditions. During winter, the northern area near the Himalayas has high pressure. Therefore, winds from this region blow to the south where the pressure is lower. In summer, the northern part has lower pressure. Therefore, there is a reversal of wind direction. The winds from the south blow towards the north. These winds greatly affect the climate of India.

The Indian Monsoon

The climate of India depends greatly on Monsoon Winds. The monsoons usually happen due to the differential heating of land and water. You probably know that land heats faster than water. This change in heating leads to a difference in pressures, which in turn leads to currents. Thus, the changes in pressure conditions also affect the monsoons. Normally, there is high pressure in the tropical eastern-south Pacific Ocean and low pressure in the tropical eastern Indian Ocean. But as years have gone by, there has been a reversal in the pressure conditions. Therefore, the eastern Pacific has lower pressure. This periodic change in pressure conditions is known as Southern Oscillations or SO.

The Seasons

The climate of India has distinct seasonal patterns. The weather conditions change greatly from one season to another. The changes in temperature are extreme in the interior regions. The coastal regions do not experience extreme temperatures.

The Cold Weather Season (Winter)

The cold weather season in India begins from mid-November and stays until February. December and January are the coldest months. The temperature decreases as we go from south to north. The Average temperature in the south in winter is 24° – 25° while in the north, it is between 10° and 15° Celsius.

The Hot Weather Season (Summer)

The hot weather season in India is from March to May. In May, the temperatures go up to 45° in the northwestern parts of the country. Towards the end of the summer season, there are pre-monsoons showers common in Kerala and Karnataka. They are often referred to as ‘mango showers‘ because they help in the early ripening of mangoes in these states.

The Advancing Monsoon (Rainy Season)

By early June, the trade winds of the southern winds bring abundant moisture to the country. The windward side of the Western Ghats receives very heavy rainfall, more than 250 cm. The monsoon is known for its uncertainties. While it causes heavy floods in one part, it may be responsible for droughts in the other. It is also irregular in arrival and retreat.

Retreating Monsoons (Transition Season)

During October-November, the monsoons become weaker. The sun moves towards the south. By the beginning of October, monsoon withdraws from the Northern Plains. There is a transition from hot rainy season to dry winter season.

Distribution of Rainfall

Some parts of India receive about 400 cm of rainfall annually. However, it is less than 60 cm in Rajasthan and adjoining parts of Gujarat, Haryana, and Punjab. The rest of the country receives moderate rainfall. Owing to this nature of monsoons, the annual rainfall is highly variable from year to year.,

India is a vast country with a diverse climate. The climate of India is influenced by its location in the tropics, its proximity to the Himalayas, and its large size.

The climate of the Indian subcontinent is tropical monsoonal. This means that the region experiences a wet season and a dry season. The wet season is caused by the monsoon winds, which blow from the southwest during the summer months. The dry season is caused by the retreating monsoon winds, which blow from the northeast during the winter months.

The Himalayas play a major role in the climate of India. The Himalayas block the cold winds from Central Asia, which keeps the Indian subcontinent warm. The Himalayas also cause the monsoon winds to rise, which results in heavy rainfall in the northern and eastern parts of India.

The size of India also affects its climate. The northern part of India is cooler than the southern part of India. This is because the northern part of India is located at a higher altitude than the southern part of India.

The climate of India can be divided into four main types: tropical wet and dry, tropical monsoon, subtropical, and alpine.

Tropical wet and dry climate is found in the northwestern part of India. This climate is characterized by hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters.
Tropical monsoon climate is found in the central and eastern parts of India. This climate is characterized by a wet season from June to September and a dry season from October to May.
Subtropical climate is found in the northern part of India. This climate is characterized by warm summers and cool winters.
Alpine climate is found in the Himalayas. This climate is characterized by cold winters and cool summers.

The climate of India is changing due to Climate Change. The average temperature in India is increasing, and the monsoon rains are becoming more erratic. These changes are having a significant impact on the Indian economy and Environment.

The effects of climate change on India include:

Increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as floods, droughts, and heat waves.
Decreased agricultural productivity, due to changes in temperature and rainfall patterns.
Increased sea level rise, which is threatening coastal communities.
Loss of Biodiversity-2/”>Biodiversity, as plant and animal species are unable to adapt to the changing climate.

India is taking steps to adapt to climate change and mitigate its effects. These steps include:

Investing in RENEWABLE ENERGY sources, such as solar and wind power.
Improving Energy Efficiency.
Planting trees to help reduce carbon emissions.
Building sea walls to protect coastal communities from sea level rise.

Climate change is a serious threat to India. However, India is taking steps to address this threat. By investing in renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, and planting trees, India can reduce its carbon emissions and adapt to the effects of climate change.

The climate of India is a complex and ever-changing phenomenon. The effects of climate change are already being felt in India, and they are only going to become more severe in the future. India is taking steps to address climate change, but it is a global problem that requires a global solution.

Here are some frequently asked questions about climate change:

What is climate change?
Climate change is the long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a place. Climate change could refer to a particular location or the planet as a whole. Climate change may cause weather patterns to be less predictable. A region might experience lower or higher than average temperatures. Climate change may cause more frequent and severe weather events, such as storms, floods and droughts.
What causes climate change?
Human activities are the main cause of climate change. The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and natural gas, releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, which causes the planet to warm. Other human activities that contribute to climate change include deforestation, agriculture and industrial processes.
What are the effects of climate change?
Climate change is already having a significant impact on the planet. The average global temperature has increased by about 1 degree Celsius since the late 19th century. This warming is causing sea levels to rise, Glaciers to melt and extreme weather events to become more common. Climate change is also having a negative impact on human Health, agriculture and Ecosystems.
What can we do to stop climate change?
There are a number of things that we can do to stop climate change. We can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels by using renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power. We can also conserve energy by making our homes and businesses more energy-efficient. We can also plant trees, which absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
What is the future of climate change?
The future of climate change depends on the actions that we take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. If we do not take action, the planet will continue to warm and the effects of climate change will become more severe. However, if we take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we can limit the amount of warming and the effects of climate change.

Here are some frequently asked questions about the environment:

What is the environment?
The environment is the natural world that surrounds us. It includes the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat and the land we live on. The environment is also home to a variety of Plants and animals.
What are the different types of environments?
There are many different types of environments, including forests, deserts, Oceans, grasslands and wetlands. Each environment has its own unique climate, plants and animals.
What are the threats to the environment?
There are many threats to the environment, including pollution, deforestation, climate change and overfishing. Pollution is the contamination of the air, water or land with harmful substances. Deforestation is the clearing of forests for other uses, such as agriculture or development. Climate change is the long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a place. Overfishing is the catching of too many fish, which can damage fish populations.
What can we do to protect the environment?
There are many things that we can do to protect the environment, including reducing our use of Resources, recycling and conserving energy. We can also support organizations that are working to protect the environment.
What is the future of the environment?
The future of the environment depends on the actions that we take to protect it. If we do not take action to protect the environment, it will continue to be damaged. However, if we take action to protect the environment, we can ensure that it is healthy and sustainable for future generations.

Sure, here are some MCQs without mentioning the topic Climate of India:

Which of the following is the largest continent in the world?
(A) Asia
(B) Africa
(C) North America
(D) South America
Which of the following is the largest ocean in the world?
(A) Pacific Ocean
(B) Atlantic Ocean
(C) Indian Ocean
(D) Arctic Ocean
Which of the following is the longest river in the world?
(A) Nile River
(B) Amazon River
(C) Yangtze River
(D) Mississippi River
Which of the following is the highest mountain in the world?
(A) Mount Everest
(B) K2
(C) Mount Kilimanjaro
(D) Mount McKinley
Which of the following is the largest country in the world by Population?
(A) China
(B) India
(C) United States
(D) Indonesia
Which of the following is the most populous city in the world?
(A) Tokyo
(B) Delhi
(C) Shanghai
(D) Mexico City
Which of the following is the most spoken language in the world?
(A) Mandarin Chinese
(B) Spanish
(C) English
(D) Hindi
Which of the following is the most popular religion in the world?
(A) Christianity
(B) Islam
(C) Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism
(D) Buddhism-2/”>Buddhism
Which of the following is the most valuable currency in the world?
(A) US dollar
(B) Euro
(C) Japanese yen
(D) Chinese yuan
Which of the following is the most visited country in the world?
(A) France
(B) China
(C) United States
(D) Spain

I hope these MCQs are helpful!