Climate

Climate: Sum area of weather conditions over a large area for a long period (30+ years). Weather: State of atmosphere at a specific time and place.

Monsoon type. Found in South and Southeast Asia.

Derived from Arabic 'Mausim'. Refers to seasonal reversal in wind direction during a year.

Latitude, Altitude, Pressure & Winds, Distance from Sea (Continentality), Ocean currents, Relief features.

Force caused by earth's rotation. Deflects winds to the right in N-hemisphere and to the left in S-hemisphere.

Fast flowing, narrow, high altitude air currents in the troposphere. Westerly jet streams affect India's winter weather.

Weather phenomena of winter months brought in by westerly flow from Mediterranean region. They cause winter rain (Mahawat) good for Rabi crops.

A warm ocean current flowing past the Peruvian coast (replaces cold current) every 2-5 years. It affects pressure and weakening of Indian Monsoon.

Sudden onset of monsoon rainfall which continues for several days.

Mid-Nov to Feb. Coldest in North. Days warm, nights cold. Frost in North. NE Trade winds blow (Land to Sea -> Dry). Tamil Nadu gets rain from these winds (Sea to Land).

March to May. Heat belt shifts north. Temps rise to 45°C. Loo (hot dry winds) blow. Dust storms. Kaal Baisakhi (storms) in Bengal. Mango showers in South.

June to Sept. SW Monsoon winds blow from sea to land. Enter Kerala 1st June. Two branches: Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. Heavy rain on Western Ghats and NE India.

Dry spells during the rainy season. Related to movement of the monsoon trough.

Oct-Nov. Sun moves south. Pressure changes. SW monsoon withdraws. Clear skies, temp rises ('October Heat'). Cyclones affect East Coast.

Funnel shaped hills (Khasi, Garo, Jaintia) trap moisture-laden clouds causing heavy orographic rain.

High mountains act as barriers to cold winds (Himalayas protect India from Central Asian cold). They also force rain-bearing winds to rise and shed moisture (Orographic rain).

Periodic change in pressure conditions over Pacific and Indian Oceans. Connected to El Nino (ENSO).

Mumbai is on the windward side of Western Ghats. Pune is on the leeward side (Rain shadow area).

Strong, gusty, hot, dry winds blowing during the day over north and NW India in summer.

Climate of India is Monsoon type.

Tropic of Cancer passes through middle.

North is Subtropical, South is Tropical.

Temp decreases with Altitude.

Himalayas prevent cold winds.

Climate is not static.

ITCZ = Inter Tropical Convergence Zone.

Monsoon arrives 1st June in Kerala.

Monsoon covers country by 15 July.

Withdrawal starts in Sept.

Mawsynram has highest rainfall (Stalagmite/Stalactite caves).

Rajasthan gets < 10cm rain.

Western Ghats get > 250cm rain.

Rainfall is unevenly distributed.

Floods and Droughts are common.

October Heat is oppressive weather.

Cyclones destructive on Odisha/AP coast.

Coromandel coast gets winter rain.

Mango showers help ripen mangoes (Kerala/Karnataka).

Mahawat helps wheat cultivation.

Coriolis force obeys Ferrel's Law.

Seasons cycle yearly