Subject: Geography

By Akshat Goyal
For Class: VI - A

02-03-2015 R. Ezhilraman, PGT-Social Science 1

 What is Climate?
Climate is the characteristic condition of the
atmosphere near the earth's surface at a certain
place on earth.
It refers to the sum total of weather conditions and
variation over a large area for a long period of time.
It is the long-term weather of that area which
remains at least 30 years.
 What is Weather?
Weather refers to the state of
atmosphere over an area at
any point of time. The
elements of both weather
and climate are same. It is the
combination of temperature,
humidity, precipitation, wind,
cloudiness and other
atmospheric conditions at a
specific time.
 Monsoon

The word monsoon is derived from the Arabic word ‘mausim’ which
literally means season.
‘Monsoon’ refers to the seasonal reversal in the wind direction
during a year.
The World is divided into a number of Climatic Regions. The Climate
of India is described as the ‘monsoon’ type. This type of climate is
found in South and Southeast Asia. But, there are perceptible regional
variations in climatic conditions within the country.
Two important elements viz., temperature and precipitation, often
vary from place to place and season to season.
 FACTORS AFFECTING CLIMATE

RELATED TO LOCATION RELATED TO AIR

PRESSURE & WIND
AGRA
48◦c in
june

DARJLING
15◦c in June
 Factors That Affect Climate

 Water Bodies
Large bodies of water such as lakes and oceans have an
important effect on the temperature of an area because
the temperature of the water body influences the
temperature of the air above it.

 Atmospheric Circulation
Global winds are another factor that influences climate
because they distribute heat and moisture around Earth.
Human Impact on Climate Changes

 The Greenhouse Effect

The greenhouse effect is a natural warming of both
Earth’s lower atmosphere and Earth’s surface from solar
radiation being absorbed and emitted by the
atmosphere.

 Global Warming
As a result of increased levels of carbon dioxide and
other greenhouse gases, global temperatures have
increased. This increase is called global warming.
 RHYTHM OF SEASONS

HOT WEATHER RETREATING MONSOON

COLD WEATHER SOUTH WEST MONSOON

The monsoon type of climate is characterised by a distinct
seasonal pattern. The weather conditions greatly change from one
season to the other. These changes are particularly noticeable in
the interior parts of the country. But, the coastal areas do not
experience much variation in temperature though there is variation
in rainfall pattern.

In India, Four main seasons can be identified:

(i) the cold weather season,
(ii)the hot weather season,
(iii)the advancing monsoon and
(iv) the retreating monsoon with some
regional variations.
The cold weather season begins from mid- November in northern India
stays
and till February. December and January are the coldest months. The
temperature decreases from south to the north. The average temperature of
Chennai, on the eastern coast is between 24°-25° Celsius, while in the northern
plains, it ranges between 10°-15° Celsius. Days are warm and nights are cold.
Frost is common in the north and the higher slopes of the Himalayas experience
snowfall.

During winter, the northeast trade winds blow from land to sea. So, most part of
the country faces a dry season. Some amount of rainfall occurs on the Tamil
Nadu coast from these winds as, trade winds blow from sea to land.

In the northern part of the country, a feeble high-pressure region develops, with
light winds moving outwards from this area. Influenced by the relief, these
winds blow through the Ganga valley from the west and the northwest. The
weather is normally marked by clear sky, low temperatures and low humidity
and feeble, variable winds.
Due to the apparent northward movement of the Sun, the global
heat belt shifts northward. So, from March to May, it is hot weather
season in India. In March, the highest temperature is about 38°C,
in Deccan plateau. In April, temperatures in Gujarat and Madhya
Pradesh are around 42°C. In May, 45°C temperature is common in
the north-western parts of the country. In peninsular India,
temperatures remain lower due to the moderating influence of the
oceans.
The summer months experience rising temperature and falling air
pressure in the northern part of the country. By the end of May, an
elongated low-pressure area develops in the region extending from
the Thar Desert in the northwest to Patna and Chotanagpur plateau
in the east and southeast. Circulation of air begins to set in around
this trough.
 MONSOON (RAINY SEASON)
By early June, the low-pressure condition over the northern plains
attracts the trade winds of the southern hemisphere. These south-
east trade winds originate over the warm subtropical areas of the
southern oceans. These winds are strong and blow at an average
velocity of 30 kmph. With the exception of the extreme north-west,
the monsoon winds cover the country in about a month.
The south-west monsoon entirely changes the weather in India. The
Western Ghats receives heavy rainfall, more than 250 cm. The rain
shadow areas like Deccan Plateau and parts of Madhya Pradesh
also receives rain. The north-eastern part of the country receives
the maximum rainfall. Mawsynram in the southern ranges of the
Khasi Hills receives the highest average rainfall in the world.
Rainfall in the Ganga valley decreases from the east to the west.
Rajasthan and parts of Gujarat get scanty rainfall.