The Indian climate can be termed as mainly tropical monsoon where there is a great difference in temperature and rainfall across the seasons. This climate variability allows a broad ecosystem and farming activities. The massive geography of India of different latitudes and topography makes India have different climates within the country such as arid in the northwest and temperate in Himalayas.

What is Climate?

• Climate is actually a long-term sequence of change of atmospheric conditions, which include temperature, humidity, pressure, and precipitation. Where weather is the immediate state of the atmosphere, climate is the average weather over a longer period of time, usually 30 years or more. Climate has an influence on ecosystems, agriculture and human activities for a longer period.
• India has mostly a tropical monsoon climate but because of its enormous geographical coverage and expansion it has got many climates:
  • Tropical in the south
  • Arid in the northwest (Rajasthan and Gujarat)
  • Temperate in the Himalayan region in the north
  • Subtropical in parts of central and eastern India
  • Coastal in areas along the west and east coasts

Salient Features of the Climate of India

• Reversal of Winds:
  • In winter, the winds are northeast to southwest and are dry and cool.
  • In summer, winds blow in the opposite direction with southwesterly and northeasterly winds of monsoon nature causing rains.
• Seasonal Rainfall:
  • More than 80 percent of the rainfall of the year is experienced during the summer monsoon season of 1 to 5 months.
  • They are distributed and scattered unequally with rain falling in parts of the country such as Meghalaya having more than 1000 cm and Rajasthan having only a small amount.
• Different of Seasons:
  • India undergoes six seasons which include winter, spring, summer, rainy (monsoon), autumn and receding monsoon. The climate of the country changes according to seasons and they are all unique in terms of temperature and rainfalls.
• Indian Unity of Climate:
  • Although the climates of different regions are diverse, the Himalayas prevent the cold winds that arrive to the north and also force the monsoon winds to drop moisture to the Indian territory; establishing a standard monsoon climate all over India.
• Variety of Indian Climate:
  • There are large variations in temperatures across the regions ranging about 55C in western Rajasthan during summer to -45C in Leh during winter.
• Natural Calamities:
  • The natural disasters in India include floods, droughts, cyclones, and famines because of the inconsistency in rainfall, particularly, in the monsoon season.

Facts Impacting the Indian Climate

• Physiographic Features:
  • Latitude and Location: India is separated by the Tropic of Cancer which has created a temperature and precipitation difference between the northern region (on the temperate zone) and the southern ends (on the tropical zone).
  • The Himalayas: They provide a shield between India and harsh winds in Central Asia and the winds that carry monsoons.
  • Closeness to the Sea: The sea acts to temper temperatures in coastal regions whereas extreme weather that is characterized by extreme fluctuating temperatures occur in interior regions.
  • Altitude: An increase in altitude leads to a coolness in comparison to lower altitudes, because of low air pressure as well as lack of heating.
• Air Pressure, and Wind:
  • Differences in pressure: In summer a low pressure area is caused by the intense heat experienced in the northern plains and this attracts the monsoon winds into the region which causes rainfall.
  • Winds: Monsoon wind brings the rains to India and the land and sea breezes have different balances along the coast as well as in the interiors.
• Geographical Factors:
  • Jet Streams: Jet Streams are winds that appear high up in the atmosphere and determine when the monsoons are arriving or withdrawing.
  • Western Disturbances: These are low pressure formations of the Mediterranean, which cause winter precipitation in northern India.
  • Around Regions: India monsoon and dry seasons are affected by weather conditions of other nations such as East Africa, Iran and Tibet.
  • Oceanic conditions: Cyclones and typhoons of the Indian Ocean have a tendency of striking the eastern coast in India.

India Climate Diversity

The climate in India is quite different as it has got varied geographical characteristics:

• Tropical Monsoon: Bangalore, southern and central parts of India in particular, experiences hot humid weather with rains in large amounts during the monsoon season.
• Desert Climate: Western Rajasthan where it is extremely hot during the day and really cold at night.
• Temperate and Frigid: The Himalayans come under cold and temperate climates where there is snowfall during winter.

Seasons in India

• Cold Weather Season (Dec-Feb):
  • It is defined by a dry and cool climate. Northern India is low in temperature and the south is not so cold.
• Hot Weather Season (March to May):
  • The country begins to experience increased temperatures particularly in the plains and central India that results in low-pressure areas and monsoon winds that arrive.
  • June-September Southwest Monsoon Season (June-September):
  • The southwest monsoon winds that bring moisture of the Indian Ocean to most of India owing to heavy rains.
• Withdrawing Monsoon (October to November):
  • Identified by the retreat of the monsoon winds and a progressive reduction in rain precipitation, with some cyclones and post-monsoon rains.

Conclusion

The climate of India is quite varied and this comes as a result of the geographical and meteorological phenomena that affect it. Climate in the country affects agriculture, water resources, and daily activities in the country, and it is quite essential to comprehend and control the patterns to achieve sustainable development. The geographical differences in temperature, rainfall, and changes in seasons demonstrate the complexity of the climate in India and the need of the adaptable response to reduce the impacts of extreme weather events and establish resiliency within the country.

Also Read: Climate change in India