Geography Handout

Class IX

Ch4: Climate
Q1. Define weather and climate. 1+1=2

Q2. What are the elements of weather and climate? 1

Q3. What does the word ‘Monsoon’ refer to? 1

Q4. Distinguish between Weather and climate. 3

Q5. Describe the regional variations in the climate conditions of India with the help of
suitable examples.

Ans: There is regional variation in the climatic conditions of India. Temperature and
Precipitation vary from place to place and season to season.
(a) In summers the temperature rises up to 50°C in parts of Rajasthan, whereas it may be
around 20°C in Pahalgam in Kashmir.
(b) In winters night temperature in Drass in Kashmir may be minus 45°C, whereas in
Tiruvanantapuram in Kerala may have a temperature of 20°C.
(c) In Andaman Islands the difference between day and night temperatures may be hardly 7° -
8°C.
(d) Coastal areas experience less contrast in the temperature, whereas seasonal contrasts are
more in the interior of the country.
(e) There is decrease in rainfall generally from east to west in the northern plains.
(f) Most part of India gets rainfall from June – September, whereas Coromandel Coast gets
rainfall in winter season.

Q6. What is a season? 1

Ans: The same or similar weather conditions that prevail for a certain period generally between
2-4 months is called a season. For example, summer season In India prevails from end of March
to end of May.

Q7. Describe the factors that control or influence the climate of any place.

Ans: The six major controls of the climate are latitude, altitude, pressure and wind system,
distance from the sea, ocean currents and relief features.
 1) Due to the shape of the earth, the amount of solar energy received varies according to
latitude. As a result, air temperature generally decreases from the equator towards the
poles, as one goes from the surface of the earth to higher altitudes.
2) On going from the earth’s surface to higher altitudes, the atmosphere becomes less
dense and temperature decreases. The hills are, therefore, cooler during summers.
3) The pressure and wind system of any area depends on the latitude and altitude of the
place. Thus, it influences the temperature and rainfall pattern. The sea exerts a
moderating influence on climate.
4) As the distance from the sea increases, its moderating influence decreases and the
people experience extreme weather conditions. This condition is known as
continentality (i.e., very hot during summers and very cold during winters).
5) Ocean currents along with onshore winds affect the climate of the coastal areas. For
example, any coastal area with warm or cold currents flowing past it, will be warmed or
cooled if the winds are onshore.
6) Relief too plays a major role in determining the climate of the place. High mountains act
as barriers for cold or hot winds; they may also cause precipitation it they are high
enough and lie in the path of rain-bearing winds. The leeward side of mountains
remains relatively dry.

Q8. How Pressure and wind can influence the climate of India? Explain.

Ans: The pressure and wind conditions over India are unique.

During winter, there is a high-pressure area north of the Himalayas. Cold dry winds blow from
this region to the low-pressure areas over the oceans to the south.

In summer, a low-pressure area develops over interior Asia as well as over northwestern India.
This causes a complete reversal of the direction of winds during summer. Air moves from the
high-pressure area over the southern Indian Ocean, in a southeasterly direction, crosses the
equator, and turns right towards the low-pressure areas over the Indian subcontinent. These
are known as the Southwest Monsoon winds.

These winds blow over the warm oceans, gather moisture and bring widespread rainfall over
the mainland of India.

Q9. Explain the factors affecting India’s climate.

Latitude: The Tropic of Cancer passes through the middle of the country from the Rann of
Kachchh in the west to Mizoram in the east. Almost half of the country, lying south of the
Tropic of Cancer, belongs to the tropical area. All the remaining area, north of the Tropic, lies in
the sub-tropic. Therefore, India’s climate has characteristics of tropical as well as subtropical
climates.
Altitude: India has mountains to the north, which have an average height of about 6,000
metres. India also has a vast coastal area where the maximum elevation is about 30 metres.
The Himalayas prevent the cold winds from Central Asia from entering the subcontinent. It is
because of these mountains that this subcontinent experiences comparatively milder winters as
compared to central Asia.

Pressure and Winds: The pressure and wind conditions over India are unique. During winter,
there is a high-pressure area north of the Himalayas. Cold dry winds blow from this region to
the low-pressure areas over the oceans to the south. In summer, a low-pressure area develops
over interior Asia as well as over northwestern India. This causes a complete reversal of the
direction of winds during summer. Air moves from the high-pressure area over the southern
Indian Ocean, in a south¬easterly direction, crosses the equator, and turns right towards the
low-pressure areas over the Indian subcontinent. These are known as the Southwest Monsoon
winds. These winds blow over the warm oceans, gather moisture and bring widespread rainfall
over the mainland of India.

Q. 10. What does the term 'Continentality' mean?

Ans: As the distance from the sea increases its moderating influence decreases and the people
experience extreme weather conditions. This condition is known as sentimentality, i.e. very hot
during summers and very cold during winters. 

Q.11. ‘India would have been an arid land or desert if there had been no Monsoon
phenomena.’ Explain.

Ans: Monsoons are the rain bearing winds in India. India’s climate (Temperature and rainfall)
depends entirely on monsoon. India would have been arid like West Asia, has there been no
monsoons.

Without monsoons, there would not have been dense forests in India. It would have the desert
vegetation like bushes and shrubs.

Summer monsoons are wet and it picks up moisture from Indian Oceans, but here the
prevailing winds would have come from land and would have been dry.

Q12. What are jet streams and how do they affect the climate of India?

Ans. Jet streams are a narrow belt of high altitude (above 12,000 m) westerly winds in the
troposphere. Their speed varies from about 110 km/h in summer to about 184 km/h in winter.
A number of jet streams exist but the most constant are the mid-latitude and the sub-tropical
jet stream.
The jet streams located over 27°-30° north latitudes are known as subtropical westerly jet
streams. These jet streams blow south of the Himalayas throughout the year except in summer.
These are responsible for the western cyclonic disturbances experienced in the north and north
western parts of the country. These jet streams move north of the Himalayas with the apparent
migration of the sun.

During the summers at about 14°N, an easterly jet stream called the subtropical easterly jet
stream blows over peninsular India.

Q13. What are Western Cyclonic disturbances? How do they affect the climate of India?

Ans: The western cyclonic disturbances are weather phenomena of the winter months brought
in by the westerly flow from the Mediterranean region. A characteristic feature of the cold
weather season over the northern plains is the inflow of cyclonic disturbances from the west
and the northwest. These low-pressure systems originate over the Mediterranean Sea and
western Asia and move into India, along with the westerly flow.

They usually influence the weather of the north and north-western regions of India. They cause
the much-needed winter rains over the plains and snowfall in the mountains. Although the total
amount of winter rainfall locally known as ‘mahawat’ is small, they are of immense importance
for the cultivation of ‘rabi’ crops.

Q14. Why does India have a monsoon type of climate?

Ans: India has a monsoon climate as its climate is strongly governed by the monsoon winds
which are usually confined to tropical lands between 20° North and 20° South. Monsoon
climate means the weather conditions change from season to season.

This happens due to the differential heating of land and water bodies and pressure situations.
In India, the summer monsoon usually lasts from June to September and 80 to 90 per cent of
rainfall is due to this monsoon.

The winter monsoon winds blow from the interior of the continents to the sea and do not cause
much rain.

Q15. Describe the mechanism of monsoon. 5

Q16. Explain ITCZ with the help of a diagram.

Ans: Inter Tropical Convergence Zone: The Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ,) is a broad
trough of low pressure in equatorial latitudes. This is where the northeast and the southeast
trade winds converge. This convergence zone lies parallel to the equator but moves north or
south with the apparent movement of the sun.

Q17. Write a short note on the trade winds.

Ans: The winds blowing from the subtropical high-pressure belt to the equatorial low pressure
belt are termed as Trade Winds’.
They blow southwards, get deflected to the right due to the Coriolis force, and move towards
the equatorial low-pressure area. Generally, these winds carry little moisture as they originate
and blow over land.

Therefore, they bring little or no rain. The trade winds are the most permanent and regular of
all planetary winds. They blow with great force in a constant direction.

Q18. Define Coriolis Force. 1

Q19. What is Southern Oscillation (SO)? How is it influenced by El Nino?

Ans: Normally when the tropical eastern south Pacific Ocean experiences high pressure, the
tropical eastern Indian Ocean experiences low pressure. But in certain years, there is a reversal
in the pressure conditions and the eastern Pacific has lower pressure in comparison to the
eastern Indian Ocean. This periodic change in pressure conditions is known as the Southern
Oscillation.

A feature connected with the SO is the El Nino phenomenon in which a warm ocean current
that flows past the Peruvian Coast, in place of the cold Peruvian current, every 2 to 5 years. The
changes in pressure conditions are connected to the El Nino. Hence, the phenomenon is
referred to as ENSO (El Nino Southern Oscillations).
Q20. Give an account of weather conditions and characteristics of the cold season (winter).
Ans: Following are the features of the cold season:
i)Duration: The winter season begins from mid-November and till February; in northern India.
December and January are the coldest months in the northern part of India.
ii)Temperature variations: Generally, days are warm and nights are cold The temperature
ranges between 10°-15°C in the northern plains, while it ranges between 24°-25°C in Chennai.
iii) Prevailing Wind: The northeast trade winds prevail over the country in this season. As these
winds blow from land to sea, most parts of the country experience a dry season. Some amount
of rainfall occurs on the Tamil Nadu coast from these winds as they blow there from sea to
land.   
iv) Air pressure condition: 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.
v) Special feature: A characteristic feature of the cold weather season over the northern plains
is the inflow of cyclonic disturbances from the west and the north-west. The low pressure
systems originate over the Mediterranean Sea and Western Asia and move into India along with
the westerly flow. They cause the much needed winter rains over the plains and snowfall in the
mountains.   (e) Although, the total amount of winter rainfall locally known as 'Mahawat' is
small, it is of immense importance for the cultivation of 'rabi' crops.   
vi) Peninsular India: The peninsular region does not have a well-defined cold season.  There is
hardly any noticeable change in temperature pattern during winter due to the moderating
influence of the sea.  
Q21. Give an account of weather conditions and characteristics of the hot season (summer).

Ans: i)Duration: The summer season is from March to May. During this period, the global heat
belt shifts towards north because of the apparent northward movement of the sun.
ii)Temperature condition: During summer, the temperatures rise and air pressure falls in the
northern part of the country. Towards the end of May, an elongated low-pressure area
develops in the region which extends from the Thar Desert in the northwest to Patna and
Chhotanagpur in the east and southeast.
iii)Air pressure condition: The summer months experience rising temperature and falling air
pressure in the northern part of the country. Towards 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.
iv)Special feature: a) A characteristic feature of the hot weather season is the ‘loo’. These are
strong, gusty, hot and dry winds which blow during the day over the north and northwestern
India.
b) Dust storms are very common in northern India during the month of May. This is also the
season of localized thunderstorms; accompanied by violent winds, torrential downpours, and
hail.
c) Pre-monsoon showers are common towards the end of the summer season; especially in
Kerala and Karnataka. They are often called ‘mango showers’ as they help in the early ripening
of mangoes.
Q 22. State the dominant characteristics of Indian monsoon.
Ans: The Indian monsoon is characterised by the following three dominant features:

i) Seasonal reversal of direction in wind system: The monsoon winds blow from land to sea in
winter and from sea to land in summer.

ii) Seasonal heavy rainfall and drought are common features of the Indian monsoon.

iii) In spite of local variations in climatic conditions, it unites the whole country in a single
climatic thread of monsoon.

Q23. What is ‘Burst of rainfall’?

Ans: Around the time of the arrival of SW monsoon, the normal rainfall increases suddenly and
continues constantly for several days. This is known as the burst of monsoon.

Q. 24. What do you know about rainfall distribution in India? Explain.

Ans: i) Rainfall distribution is unequal in our country. Parts of western coast and northeastern
India receive over about 400 cm of rainfall annually. However, it is less than 60 cm in western
Rajasthan and adjoining parts of Gujarat, Haryana and Punjab. Rainfall is equally low in the
interior of the Deccan plateau, and east of the Sahyadris.

ii)A third area of low precipitation is around Leh in Jammu and Kashmir.

iii) The rest of the country receives moderate rainfall.

Iv) Snowfall is restricted to the Himalayan region.

Q.25. Why do the Western Ghats receive more rainfall than the Eastern Ghats?
Ans: In terms of relief, the Western Ghats are much higher in comparison to the Eastern Ghats.
The Western Ghats are continuous stretches of high mountains.

Therefore, when the moisture-laden Arabian Sea branch of Southwest Monsoon first strikes the
Western Ghats, it brings heavy rainfall along the windward side of the Western Ghats. In
Eastern Ghats, rain, bearing winds of Southwest Monsoon do not face such
orographic(mountain) barrier and hence-receive much lower amount of rainfall.

26. Give reasons as to why:

(i) Seasonal reversal of wind direction takes place over the Indian subcontinent.
Ans. Land and water are of different densities, so the rate of heating and cooling varies. The
Indian subcontinent is surrounded by water on three sides. In summer the land mass of India is
warmer than the surrounding sea, therefore there is low pressure. The sea is cooler, thereby
having higher pressure. So the winds blow from sea to land.

In winter the land has high pressure while the sea has low pressure. Therefore, the winds blow
towards the sea. Thus a seasonal reversal of wind direction takes place.

(ii) The bulk of rainfall in India is concentrated over a few months.

Ans. In India the bulk of the rainfall is concentrated over a few months. The main source of
rainfall is the monsoon wind which blows when there is intense low pressure on the land. The
surrounding water-body is cool and has high pressure. This ideal temperature and pressure is
caused in May, when the rain falls between June — September and it becomes cooler (high
pressure). Rest of the year is practically dry.

(iii) The Tamil Nadu coast receives winter rainfall winds.

Ans. During the winter season the Tamil Nadu coast receives rain from the north east Monsoon
which blow from land to sea. They do not cause any rain in the northern part of the country.
But while crossing the Bay of Bengal they pick up moisture and cause rain on the eastern coast
of south India, mainly the Tamil Nadu coast.

(iv) The delta region of the eastern coast is frequently struck by cyclones.

Ans. The delta region of the eastern coast is frequently struck by cyclones as the low-pressure
conditions over north western India get transferred to the Bay the Bengal by early November.
This shift is responsible for the occurrence of cyclonic depressions which originate over the
Andaman Sea. These then cross the eastern coast causing heavy widespread rain leading to
great damage to life and property.

(v) Parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat and the leeward side of the Western Ghats are drought-prone.

Ans. Relief/Mountains play an important role in the distribution of rainfall in India. The
moisture laden winds (South West Monsoons) cause heavy rain on the windward slopes of the
Western Ghats and Khasi-Garo hills. As the winds cross over to the leeward slopes, there is less
rainfall as most of it has been deposited on the slope facing the winds. All the area on the
leeward side is deprived of rain and is drought prone. Rajasthan also lies in the rain shadow of
the Aravalli hills.

(vi) Mumbai receives more rain than Pune.

Ans: Mumbai receives more rain than Pune because of their location. Mumbai is located on the
coast whereas Pune is in the interior. Mumbai is located on the windward side of Western
Ghats whereas Pune is located on the leeward side. Windward side refers to the direction from
which the rain bearing south-west monsoon winds approach the land from sea.

Q.27. Differentiate between summer (S.W.) monsoon and winter (N.E.) monsoon.

Ans:

Summer Monsoon Winter Monsoon

1. Summer monsoon season is marked by 1. Winter monsoon season is marked by north
southwest monsoon wind which blows from east monsoon wind which blows from
June to September. November to February.
2. These blow from the high pressure area on 2. These blow from the high pressure area on
the sea to the low pressure area on the land. the land to low pressure area on the sea.
3. This wind brings rain to the greater part of 3. This wind brings little rain only to Tamil
India. Nadu coast.
4. The southwest monsoon are warm winds. 4. The north-east monsoon are cold winds.
5. This wind is characterized by high 5. This wind is characterized by low
temperature, low pressure and high humidity. temperature, high pressure and low humidity.
6. This blows into India in two branches 6. This wind have no branch.
namely the Arabian Sea branch and Bay of
Bengal branch.

Q. 28. What do you understand by "break" in monsoon?

Monsoon tends to have 'breaks' in rainfall; which means that there are wet and dry spells in
between. The monsoon rains take place only for a few days at a time and then come the
rainless intervals.

Q. 29. Write a short note on withdrawal or retreat of monsoon.

Ans: Withdrawal or the retreat of the monsoon is a more gradual process. The withdrawal of
the monsoon begins in northwestern states of India by early September. By mid-October, it
withdraws completely from the northern half of the peninsula. The withdrawal from the
southern half of the peninsula is rapid. By early December, the monsoon has withdrawn from
the rest of the country.

The islands receive the very first monsoon showers, progressively from south to north, from the
last week of April to the first week of May. The withdrawal takes place progressively from north
to south from the first week of December to the first week of January. By this time the rest of
the country is already under the influence of the winter monsoon.
Q.30.What is October Heat?
Ans: The months of October-November form a period of transition from hot rainy season to dry
winter conditions. The retreat of the monsoon is marked by clear skies and rise in temperature.
While day temperatures are high, nights are cool and pleasant. The land is still moist. Owing to
the conditions of high temperature and humidity, the weather becomes rather oppressive
during the day. This is commonly known as ‘October heat’.

Q.31. Differentiate between advancing monsoon and retreating monsoon.

Advancing Monsoon Retreating Monsoon

1. Advancing monsoon starts in the month of 1. Retreating monsoon starts in the month of
June and ends by the end of September in October and ends by mid November.
India.
2. The movement of the wind is from Sea to 2. The movement of the wind is from Land to
Land and wind blows from South West to Sea. 
North East.
3. Advancing Monsoon carries moist winds 3. Retreating Monsoon carries dry winds and it
and brings the maximum rains in India. brings rains in India but not as much as
Advancing Monsoon
4. Advancing monsoon is characterized by 4. Retreating monsoon is characterized by
heavy rain, moist wind, burst of monsoon, suffocative heat known as ‘October Heat” and
break in monsoon. tropical cyclones.
The bulk of the rainfall of the Coromandel
Coast is derived from depressions and
cyclones.

Q32. Give the characteristics and effects of the monsoon rainfall in India.
Ans: Characteristics of the monsoon rainfall in India:
(a) The duration of the monsoon varies from 100 to 120 days from early June to mid-
September.
(b) Around the time of its arrival, the normal rainfall increases suddenly and continues regularly
for several days. This is called the 'burst' of the monsoon.
(c) They are distinguished from the pre-monsoon showers because of their increase in rainfall
amount and regularity.
(d) The monsoon arrives at the southern tip of the Indian Peninsular generally by the first week
of June.
(e) The rainfall is unevenly distributed across the country.

Effects of the monsoon rainfall in India:

(a) Agriculture in India largely depends on Indian monsoons for water. Late, Low or excessive
rains have a negative impact upon crops.
(b) Due to uneven distribution of rainfall across the country, there are few places that are
drought prone and few are flood affected.
(c) The monsoon provides India with a diverse climatic pattern. Hence, in spite of the presence
of great regional variations, it has a unifying influence upon the country and its people.

Q.33. Why the monsoon is considered a unifying bond?

Ans: Although there are wide variations in weather patterns across India, the monsoon brings
some unifying influences on India. Following are few of the reasons why the monsoon is
considered as a unifying bond in India:
(a) The Indian landscape, its flora and fauna, etc. are highly influenced by the monsoon.
(b) The entire agricultural calendar in India is governed by the monsoon.
(c) Most of the festivals in India are related to agricultural cycle. These festivals may be known
by different names in different parts of the country, but their celebration is decided by the
monsoon.
(d) It is also said that the river valleys which carry the rainwater also unite as a single river valley
unit.