Indian Climate and Monsoon PDF

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[INDIAN CLIMATE & MONSOON]

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Contents
Climate and Weather .................................................................................................................................... 3
Factors influencing the Climate of India ................................................................................................... 3
Indian Climate ............................................................................................................................................... 4
Theory of Differential Heating .................................................................................................................. 4
Flohn’s Dynamic Concept of Monsoon ..................................................................................................... 6
Factors influencing Indian Monsoon ............................................................................................................ 8
Jet Streams ................................................................................................................................................ 8
El – Nino and La – Nina Event ................................................................................................................. 10
Role of Tibet Plateau ............................................................................................................................... 14
Madden-Julian Oscillation....................................................................................................................... 15
EQUINOO – Equatorial Indian Ocean Oscillation .................................................................................... 17
Facts about Indian Monsoon ...................................................................................................................... 18
The Northeast Monsoon (Retreating Monsoon) and its Effect .................................................................. 21
Western Disturbances and winter rainfall in North- India.......................................................................... 21
Seasons in India........................................................................................................................................... 22
Cold Weather Season .............................................................................................................................. 22
Hot weather Season ................................................................................................................................ 23
South-West Monsoon Season................................................................................................................. 24
Retreating Monsoon ............................................................................................................................... 25
Rainfall Distribution in India ....................................................................................................................... 26
Climatic Unity of India ................................................................................................................................. 27
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Indian Climate
In the previous parts, we have learnt about the shape and size of our country along with its
latitudinal extent. Not only are its physiographic divisions diverse but also far more contrasting
in nature. Each one of these factors has an impact on climatic conditions of India, be it
temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind system or precipitation.
In this part, we will study regional variations in the climatic conditions of India.
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After covering this module, you should be able to:
 Understand the factors responsible for climatic variations.
 Understand the ‘Monsoon-type’ climate of India.
 Influence of Tibetan plateau, Jet-streams and El-Nino on Indian Monsoon.
 Understand the distribution of rainfall in India.
 Appreciate different seasons of India.
 Rainfall distribution of India
Climate and Weather
In order to understand the climate of India, we should first know what exactly the climate is.
 Weather is the temporary state of the atmosphere, while climate refers to the average
of the weather conditions over a longer period of time.
 Weather changes quickly, may be within a day or week, but climate changes in
imperceptivity and may be noted after 50, 100 years, or even more.
 The climate of India has distinct regional variations discernible by the pattern of winds,
temperature, and rainfall; further, also in the form of rhythm of seasons and the degree
of wetness or dryness.
Factors influencing the Climate of India
Following factors influence the climate of India-
Location and Latitudinal Extent
 India lies roughly between 6°N to 37°N latitudes. The Tropic of Cancer passes through
the middle of the country. The southern parts being closer to the Equator, experience
high temperatures throughout the year. The northern parts on the other hand lie in the
warm temperate zone. Hence they experience low temperatures particularly, in winter.
Distance from the Sea
 Southern or peninsular India is surrounded by the Arabian Sea, the Indian ocean and the
Bay of Bengal, hence the climate of coastal regions of India is equable or maritime.
Contrary to this, the climate of the regions located in the interior of the country is cut
off from the oceanic influence. As a result, they have an extreme or continental type of
climate.
The Northern Mountain Ranges
 The Himalayan ranges in the North separates India from rest of Asia. These ranges
protect India from the bitterly cold and dry winds of Central Asia during winter.
Furthermore, they act as an effective physical barrier for the rain bearing southwest
monsoons winds to cross the northern frontiers of India. Thus, these ranges act as a
climatic divide between Indian Sub-Continent and Central Asia.
Physiography
 The physical features influence the air temperature, atmospheric pressure, direction of
winds and the amount of rainfall in different parts of the country.
Monsoon Winds
 Monsoon will be discussed in detail in the later part of this chapter.
Upper Air Circulation
 There are very strong Westerly as well as Easterly jet streams (only during summer)
blowing over India. They push the monsoon winds from the sea towards the land.
Indian Climate
Broadly it is said that India has monsoon type of Climate. Then the question arises, that what
exactly is monsoon?
The word monsoon has been derived from the Arabic word 'Mausim' which means seasonal
reversal of the winds during the course of the year.
Monsoons refer to a system of winds in the tropical regions under which the direction of winds
is reversed completely between the summer and the winter seasons. Under this system, the
winds blow from land to sea in winter and from sea to land in summer. Therefore, most of the
rainfall in the regions influenced by the monsoons is received in the summer season while
winter season is generally dry. Many theories have been given to explain the phenomenon.
Theory of Differential Heating
This was the first scientific theory given to explain the phenomenon of Monsoon. According to
the traditional belief, the monsoon is caused by the differential heating of land and sea. Due to
a higher temperature over the land in summer, a low pressure area develops over the
continents and the winds blow from neighbouring seas towards the land. These winds are of
maritime origin and hence cause ample rainfall in summer. On the other hand, the continents
become colder than the neighboring oceans in winter.
As a result a high pressure area is developed over the continents. Therefore, winds blow from
land to sea in winter. These winds, being of continental origin, are dry and do not cause rain.
This traditional theory of monsoon has been criticized by the German meteorologist Flohn. He
argues that the differential heating of land and sea is not enough to cause a seasonal reversal of
winds at a global scale.
Monsoon by Differential Heating
Flohn’s Dynamic Concept of Monsoon
He has explained the origin of the monsoon on the basis of seasonal shift of the pressure and
wind belts under the influence of the shift of the vertical rays of the sun. According to this
theory, as the vertical rays of the sun shift northwards over the Tropic of Cancer in summer
season, the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) also shifts to north. This results in the
formation of a low pressure area over the northwestern parts of India. This low pressure is
further intensified by the high temperatures in this region.
This low pressure area sucks the air from the Indian Ocean towards the Indian landmass in the
form of Southwest monsoons.
In winter season, the ITCZ shifts southwards and a mild high pressure is produced over northern
parts of India. This high pressure is further intensified by the equator ward shift of the
subtropical high pressure belt. Due to high pressure over northern lndia, the winds start
blowing from northeast as retreating monsoons.
The complete phenomenon can be understood by the following table.
According to recent observations, the origin of Indian monsoon is influenced by a number of

other factors, besides the differential heating of land and sea and the seasonal shifts of
pressure and wind belts.
Factors influencing Indian Monsoon
Jet Streams
One of the most important factors among these is the system of subtropical westerly and
tropical easterly jet streams. The subtropical westerly jet streams blowing over India in winter
causes a high pressure over northern India. It thus intensifies the northeast monsoons. This jet
stream shifts northwards beyond India in summer season and tropical easterly jets develop
over India in this season. The behaviour of these jet streams is partly responsible for the
variations in the time of onset of southwest monsoons over India.
The jet stream theory explains the variability in timing and strength of the monsoon.
Timing: A timely northward shift of the subtropical westerly jet at the beginning of summer is
critical to the onset of the southwest monsoon over India. If the shift is delayed, so is the
southwest monsoon. An early shift results in an early monsoon.
Strength: The strength of the southwest monsoon is determined by the strength of the easterly
tropical jet over central India. A strong easterly tropical jet results in a strong southwest
monsoon over central India, and a weak jet results in a weak monsoon.
El – Nino and La – Nina Event
El Nino and La Nina events are a natural part of the global climate system. They occur when the
Pacific Ocean and the atmosphere above it change from their neutral ('normal') state for
several seasons. El Nino events are associated with a warming of the central and eastern
tropical Pacific, while La Niña events are the reverse, with a sustained cooling of these same
areas.
These changes in the Pacific Ocean and its overlying atmosphere occur in a cycle known as the
El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). The atmosphere and ocean interact, reinforcing each
other and creating a 'feedback loop' which amplifies small changes in the state of the ocean
into an ENSO event. When it is clear that the ocean and atmosphere are fully coupled an ENSO
event is considered established.
La Niña is sometimes referred to as the cold phase of ENSO and El Niño as the warm phase of
ENSO. These deviations from normal surface temperatures can have large-scale impacts not
only on ocean processes, but also on global weather and climate.
El Niño and La Niña episodes typically last nine to 12 months, but some prolonged events may
last for years. While their frequency can be quite irregular, El Niño and La Niña events occur on
average every two to seven years. Typically, El Niño occurs more frequently than La Niña.
Even in a neutral state, temperatures in the Pacific Ocean vary from east to west – for example,
the western Pacific 'warm pool' in the tropical Pacific has some of the warmest large-scale
ocean temperatures in the world. During an ENSO event, ocean temperatures become warmer
than usual or cooler than usual at different locations, which are reflected in ocean temperature
gradients. The most important driver of ENSO is these temperature gradients across the Pacific,
both at the surface and below the surface, particularly at the thermocline.
Creation of warm pool during La – Nina event. (Normal condition)
Effect on Indian Monsoon
The Monsoon is a recurring event i.e. it repeats after a certain frequency of time – a year in our
case. But, it may not be uniform in every period (year). There are a lot of factors which affect its
duration and intensity over India.
The Monsoon is basically a result of the flow of moisture laden winds because of the variation
of temperature across the Indian Ocean.
There are a number of climatic phenomena which affect it namely the Indian Ocean dipole, El-
nino, La-nina, Equatorial Indian Ocean Oscillation (EQUINOO) etc. These phenomena affect the
temperature distribution over the oceans and thus affecting the direction and intensity of flow
of the moisture laden winds.
There have been recent reports that El Nino may disturb the Indian Monsoon and play badly
with Indian agriculture.
For a normal monsoon season, the pressure distribution is as such:
1. The Peruvian coast has relatively high pressure than the areas near north Australia and
South-East Asia.
2. The Indian Ocean is slightly warmer than the adjoining oceans (West pacific –see
diagram) and thus the pressure is low relatively due to the warm seas. This is why the
moisture laden winds move from near the west pacific to the Indian Ocean and from
there on to the lands.
3. The pressure on heated Indian land is much lower than that on the Indian Ocean.
This facilitates the movement of monsoon winds from the sea to the Indian land without any
significant diversion.
But if for some reason this normal distribution is affected, then there is a change in the way
trade winds (or monsoon winds) would blow.
This is because of the following reasons (and its effects):
 Off the coast of Peru (read in Eastern Pacific and Central Pacific), there is normally cool
surface water because of the cold Peruvian current. But El Niño makes it go warm.
 When the water becomes warm, the tread winds, which otherwise flow from East to
west, either reverse their direction or get lost.
 Due to this warm water, the air gets up and surface air pressure above Eastern Pacific
gets down. On the other hand, the waters cool off in western pacific and off Asia. This
leads to rise in surface pressure over the Indian Ocean, Indonesia, and Australia.
 Now as the pressure over the Peruvian coast reduces because of the warm sea water,
the flow of moisture laden winds is directed to the Peruvian coasts from the western
pacific (the areas near North Australia and South-east Asia – refer to the diagrams
above).
 Hence, the moisture laden winds that should have moved towards the Indian coast now
move towards the Peruvian coast.
 The warm water causes lots of clouds getting formed in that area, causing heavy rains in
Peruvian desert during El Niño years.
 This robs the Indian subcontinent of its share in the Monsoon rains. The greater the
temperature and pressure difference, the greater would be the shortage in the rainfall
in India.
La – Nina on the other hand is the opposite event. It intensifies the monsoon and India get
more than average rain. La Nina condition may result in flooding in parts of India due to
excessive rainfall.
Some important data to understand:
India: El Nino Effect Monsoon

years
2004 Drought 86%
2009 Severe Drought 77%
2013 Neutral 106%
Role of Tibet Plateau
Tibetan highland plays a crucial role in initiating the monsoon circulation over the Indian
subcontinent. Tibetan plateau is an enormous block of high ground acting as a formidable
barrier. It is also one the most geographical controls on general circulation. Tibetan plateau
affects the atmosphere in two ways, acting separately or in combination; as a mechanical
barrier, or as highland heat source. At the beginning of the June, the subtropical jet stream
disappears from the southern side of the plateau. In other words, the jet streams disappear
completely over northern India. It is believed that there is a correspondence between the
shifting of the jet stream and the slowing down of the westerlies over the whole of Eurasia. In
addition, the plateau accumulates the northward displacement of jet stream. On the contrary,
the plateau proves to be the most important factor in causing the advance of the jet stream far
to the south in the middle of October. This abrupt onset of summer monsoon at the beginning
of June is promoted by the hydrodynamic effect the Himalayas and not by the thermally
induced low pressure centre over northwest India.
Recently it has been emphasized that the summer time heating of the extensive Tibetan
Plateau makes it a high level heat source. A thermal anticyclone appears over Tibet during the
southwest monsoon. This warm core high developed in mid troposphere at 500 mb-level is the
result of a process called dynamic anti-cyclogensis. On the south side of the anticyclone the
tropical jet stream is produced.
Madden-Julian Oscillation
While the MJO is a lesser-known phenomenon, it can have dramatic impacts in the mid-
latitudes.
Unlike ENSO, which is stationary, the MJO is an eastward moving disturbance of clouds, rainfall,
winds, and pressure that traverses the planet in the tropics and returns to its initial starting
point in 30 to 60 days, on average. This atmospheric disturbance is distinct from ENSO, which
once established, is associated with persistent features that last several seasons or longer over
the Pacific Ocean basin. There can be multiple MJO events within a season, and so the MJO is
best described as intraseasonal tropical climate variability (i.e. varies on a week-to-week basis).
The MJO consists of two parts, or phases: one is the enhanced rainfall (or convective) phase
and the other is the suppressed rainfall phase. Strong MJO activity often dissects the planet into
halves: one half within the enhanced convective phase and the other half in the suppressed
convective phase. These two phases produce opposite changes in clouds and rainfall and this
entire dipole (i.e., having two main opposing centers of action) propagates eastward. The
location of the convective phases are often grouped into geographically based stages that
climate scientists number 1-8 as shown in Figure below.
Difference from average rainfall for all MJO events from 1979-2012 for November-March for
the eight phases described in the text.
The green shading denotes above-average rainfall, and the brown shading shows below-
average rainfall. To first order, the green shading areas correspond to the extent of the
enhanced convective phase of the MJO and the brown shading areas correspond to the extent
of the suppressed convective phase of the MJO. Note eastward shifting of shaded areas with
each successive numbered phase as you view the figure from top to bottom.
EQUINOO – Equatorial Indian Ocean Oscillation
The recently noticed dipolar nature of convection on either side of Indian Ocean called
EQUINOO is subjected to more observations and analysis to understand its effect on ISMR
between the period from 1950 – 2005. The positive phase of EQUINOO with increased cloud on
the western side of Indian Ocean accompanied with dominating easterly wind anomaly found
to affect ISMR strength positively and the reverse conditions leads to negative results. The
floods and droughts go well with EQUINOO incidents but normal monsoon do not display equal
uniformity with EQUINOO affect. It is not binding that the positive neither negative phase of
this phenomena should show expected results when it co - occur with similar big oceanic or
atmospheric oscillations.
Equatorial Indian Ocean Oscillation can be defined as a phenomenon that display a dipole
formation in terms of cumulus convection accompanied with zonal wind and rainfall anoma ly
in equatorial Indian Ocean main ly confined to Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. The ability of this
oscillation to explain extreme events of Indian monsoons are widely approved, but when we
think in terms of normal years it doesn’t correlate according to the expectation. EQUINOO is
found to be independent of ENSO influence but can be treated as an atmospheric outcome of

Indian Ocean Dipole.
Facts about Indian Monsoon

 In Kerala and Maharashtra coast, the first monsoon shower leads to blossoming of
coffee flowers and mango flowers. This shower is called ‘Blossom shower’ or ‘Mango
shower’.
 Burst of monsoon on eastern coast (Bengal) leads to destruction of standing crops. This
is called ‘KalBaisakh’. The ‘Calamity’ of Baisakh ( the harvest season).
 In Assam, Nor Westers are known as Bardoli Chheerha.
 In northern plains, hot and dry winds blow during summers. They are called Loo.
 Tamil Nadu coast remains dry during the monsoon season because it is situated parallel
to the Bay of Bengal branch of southwest monsoon. Tamil Nadu coast receives rainfall
during retreating monsoons.
 The months of October and November are known as retreating monsoons season.
 Cherapunji and Mawsynram (two places of Meghalaya) are world’s wettest place.
The map showing south-west monsoon and time that it takes to travel upto north.
Source: IMD
Map showing comparative advance and retreat of monsoon.
The Northeast Monsoon (Retreating Monsoon) and its Effect
During winter, the weather conditions are influenced by high pressure developed over
Northwestern part of the subcontinent. This results in the blowing of cold dry winds from this
Region towards southern low pressure areas lying over water bodies surrounding peninsular
India. Since these winds are cold and dry, they do not cause rainfall and weather conditions
under their influence remain cold and dry. However; wherever these Northeast monsoon winds
collect moisture while passing over the Bay of Bengal, they bring rain along Coromandel Coast.
Strictly speaking these winds are planetary winds known as North-east Trades. In India they are
essentially land bearing winds.
Western Disturbances and winter rainfall in North- India
The inflow of western disturbances moves under the influence of westerly jet streams from the
Mediterranean Sea. It influences winter weather conditions over most parts of Northern Plains
and Western Himalayan region. It brings little rain in winter months. This rain is considered to
be very good for wheat crops in northern plains.
The tropical cyclones also develop in the Bay of Bengal. The frequency and direction of these
cyclones influence weather conditions along the eastern coast during October, November and
December.
Seasons in India
By now, you have understood that the complete reversal of direction of winds is the most
striking feature of the monsoons. These changing monsoon winds result in the change of
seasons over the year. It is, therefore, important to understand in detail, the prevailing weather
conditions throughout India during different seasons.
Climatically, the year is divided into following four seasons in India:
1. The cold weather season - December to February;

2. The hot weather season - March to May in south and up to June in the north;
3. The advancing southwest monsoon season - June to September;
4. The retreating southwest monsoons season - October and November.
Cold Weather Season

The important characteristics of cold weather season are:
 Low temperatures in the north and their gradual increase towards southern parts of
India.
 Blowing of cold and dry northeast monsoon resulting in dry weather conditions in most
parts. Coromandel Coast receives rainfall during winter.
 Western disturbances cause light rain in northern plains and snowfall over the
Himalayan ranges.
Hot weather Season

The apparent movement of the sun towards the north increases the temperatures in the
northern plains. As a result, the spring sets in soon giving way to the hot weather season which
lasts till end of June in this region. The temperatures increase northwards and reach around
45°C in mid-May in most parts of the northern plains. The characteristic features of this season
are afternoon dust storms and ‘Loo’ which is a hot dry wind which blows during May and June
mainly over the northern plains. These winds cause heat stroke resulting in deaths of hundreds
of people every year. The day temperatures at times rise above 45°C in some north-western
parts of the country.
South-West Monsoon Season

It is a rainy season for most parts of India. It starts with the inflow of Southwest monsoons
which strike the coast of Kerala normally in the first week of June and cover most of India by
mid-July. This weather continues till September. The arrival of these warm moisture laden
winds brings a total change in weather conditions. Their arrival causes sudden rains which bring
down the temperatures considerably. The decline in temperature is between 5°C to 10°C. The
sudden onset of rain is called break of monsoons or the burst of monsoons. The arrival of these
winds may be delayed by a week or two depending upon the pressure conditions over northern
plains and over the Indian Ocean. The peninsular shape of India divides these Southwest
monsoons into two branches - Arabian Sea branch and Bay of Bengal branch.
Retreating Monsoon
The main characteristic features of retreating Southwest monsoon season are:
 weakening of low pressure area over Northwest India;
 fall in temperatures throughout India;
 shifting of low pressure area to the south; and
 origin of cyclonic storms in the Bay of Bengal causing heavy rains and damage to crops
and property along the eastern coast of India.
Rainfall Distribution in India
Study the map carefully. You will find that the regional variations in average annual rainfall are
well pronounced. The distribution map of rainfall shows that northeastern parts of Jammu and
Kashmir and extreme western Rajasthan receive a rainfall of less than 20 cm. On the other
hand, the west coastal plains, Sub-Himalayan areas of northeast India including the Shillong
plateau receive more than 200 cm. of annual rainfall. Southern slopes of Khasi and Jantia Hills,
particularly the Cherrapunji valley receive the highest rainfall exceeding 1000cm. Starting from
the southern coast of Gujarat, the isohyte of 200 cm runs somewhat parallel to the coast of
Western Ghats up to kanyakumari. To the east of Western Ghats, the rainfall drops abruptly
below 60 cm. over interior Maharashtra and Karnataka. Most parts of Punjab, Haryana, central
and eastern Rajasthan and western Gujarat also receive rainfall below 60 cm. Starting from the
southwestern parts of Jammu and Kashmir, the isohyte of 100 cm. moves eastwards up to east
of Allahabad from where it bends to the west and south west, running over western Madhya
Pradesh, eastern Maharashtra and northern Andhra Pradesh, it joins eastern coast near
Visakhapattnam. To the west and south west of this isohyte, the areas receive less rainfall.
Some parts of Coromondel coast receive a rainfall of more than 100 cm. The areas receiving
less than 100 cm. of rainfall depend on means of irrigation for agricultural activities.
The distribution of annual rainfall in different parts of India shows the following trends:
 The rainfall decreases as one move from Kolkata to Amritsar.
 It shows declining trend towards interior from the coastal areas on Deccan Plateau.
 Northeastern parts receive more rainfall than north western parts of India.
 Areas lying on the windward side receive more rains than the areas lying on the leeward
side.
Climatic Unity of India

The ‘Climatic Unity’ means that weather conditions over different parts of India are more or
less the same during different seasons round the year leaving minor variations as exceptions to
the rule. Indian climate is called ‘monsoon climate’. It explains how much influence the
monsoon winds have in bringing climatic unity. This unity in climatic conditions results from the
combined influence of regular movements of monsoons (seasonal winds) and the bounding role
of the Himalayan mountain system.
The Climatic system of India has the direct impact on the lives of people in the following
ways:
Seasonal changes: The sequence of hot, wet and cold seasons affects the life styles and
economic activities of the people throughout India.
 The farmers all over India start their agricultural activities like ploughing of fields,
sowing of seeds, transplantation etc. with or just before the onset of monsoons. Kharif
crops - rice and millets, cotton and sugarcane in different areas is an expression of
amount of rainfall they receive. During winter, wheat is the major rabi crop in cool and
irrigated areas; whereas barley, gram and oil seeds are common crops of non-irrigated
areas in northern and central India.
 The clothes are also affected by seasons. During summer, the people wear cotton
clothes whereas the woolen clothes are used in winter season especially in north and
central India.
 Most parts of lndia have to bear a long dry season; contrary to it, the season of life
giving rains is limited to only a few months. This has a far reaching effect on the life style
of the Indian people.
 Most of the Indian festivals are closely linked with seasons. In north India, Baisakhi is
celebrated when rabi crop is ready for harvesting. During winter, when the sun shines
vertically over the
 Tropic of Capricorn and extreme cold weather conditions prevail over northern plains
Lohri and Makar Sakranti are celebrated in the north and west while Pongal distinctly is
its southern counterpart. Holi is celebrated in spring after bidding good bye to the
prolonged cold winter especially in the north.
 The seasonal and regional variations in weather conditions have made different regions
capable of producing different crops in varying quantities making all regions completely
interdependent. This is not a less contribution of the monsoons in promoting underlying
unity despite all pervasive diversity.
 The paradox of Indian monsoons is that no part in India is spared from occasional or
even frequent floods or droughts, if not famines. The drought is common even in the
areas of heavy rainfall like Kerala and Assam; likewise, dry areas of Northwest India are
not free from floods, be it Punjab or Rajasthan. Consequently, there is need to conserve,
control and store water for irrigation, drinking and power generation.
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2018 INTEGRATED LEARNING PROGRAMME, ILP

[INDIAN CLIMATE & MONSOON]

I can SEE now!!!

Climate and Weather

Factors influencing the Climate of India

Following factors influence the climate of India-

Location and Latitudinal Extent

Distance from the Sea

The Northern Mountain Ranges

 Monsoon will be discussed in detail in the later part of this chapter.

Upper Air Circulation

Theory of Differential Heating

Monsoon by Differential Heating

Flohn’s Dynamic Concept of Monsoon

The complete phenomenon can be understood by the following table.

According to recent observations, the origin of Indian monsoon is influenced by a number of

Factors influencing Indian Monsoon

El – Nino and La – Nina Event

Creation of warm pool during La – Nina event. (Normal condition)

Effect on Indian Monsoon

For a normal monsoon season, the pressure distribution is as such:

This is because of the following reasons (and its effects):

Some important data to understand:

India: El Nino Effect Monsoon

Role of Tibet Plateau

EQUINOO – Equatorial Indian Ocean Oscillation

found to be independent of ENSO influence but can be treated as an atmospheric outcome of

Facts about Indian Monsoon

Map showing comparative advance and retreat of monsoon.

The Northeast Monsoon (Retreating Monsoon) and its Effect

Western Disturbances and winter rainfall in North- India

Climatically, the year is divided into following four seasons in India:

1. The cold weather season - December to February;

Cold Weather Season

Hot weather Season

South-West Monsoon Season

Rainfall Distribution in India

Climatic Unity of India

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