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Climate part 4

 

The seasons 1.0                 

Monsoon type of climate brings with it great differential conditions in the weather over various months of the year. India majorly experiences four seasons- winter, summer, season of advancing monsoon (the rainy season) and season of retreating monsoon (the transition period).

Fun fact: - These changes (the seasons) are particularly noticeable in the interior part of the country. The coastal areas do not experience much variation in temperature though there is variation in rainfall pattern.

Winter (the cold weather season):-

Winter begins from mid November in the northern part of the country and stays till February. December and January are the coldest months in the northern part of India. The temperature decreases from south to north. In southern part the average temperature during winter is 25°C while it ranges from 10°C - 15°C in the northern part. Frost is common in north and snow falls in upper reaches of Himalayas.

During winters, northeast trade winds propel over the country. These blow from land to sea and hence they’re dry. It rains in Tamil Nadu coast during this time because here winds blow from sea to land.

If we talk of northern part, here the temperature is low, humidity is also low and thin winds blow due to high pressure. The sky is clear and days are warm and nights are chilly. Due to relief the winds blow through Ganga valley from west and northwest.

One of the characteristic features of the cold weather is the inflow of western cyclonic disturbance from west and northwest. A low pressure is created over the Mediterranean Sea which moves India along with westerly flow. They cause much needed rain in the plains and snowfall in the mountains. Total amount of rainfall (locally known as Mahawat) is low but is crucial for the cultivation of Rabi crops.

Western cyclonic disturbances: - A western cyclonic disturbance is an extratropical storm originating in the Mediterranean region that brings sudden winter in the northern parts of the Indian subcontinent.

 

Summer (the hot weather season):-

We know that the seasons are the result of rotation of the Earth (generally called apparent movement of Sun). During summer season (March-May) the northern part of the Earth is closer to sun and thus the heat belt shifts northward. The temperature during this season ranges from 38°C to 45°C. In the peninsular region, temperature remains low due to, moderating influence of oceans.

Formation of “loo”:-

During summers season a low pressure is formed over the northern part of the country due to falling air pressure and rising temperature. Till end of May an extended low pressure area develops from the Thar Desert in northwest to Patna and Chotanagpur Plateau in southeast. Circulation of air begins to set in this trough.

A high up feature of summer season is the strong, gusty dry wind called “loo” in north and north-western part of the country. Dust storms are very common in northern India in the month of May. They bring relief by cutting down the temperature and sometimes even bring light rainfall and cool breeze. This season also accompanies localized thunderstorms associated with violent winds and torrential precipitation. In west Bengal these storms are locally known as ‘Kaal Baisakhi’.

Fun fact:-  Pre monsoon showers which are common in Kerala and Karnataka during summer are known as ‘mango showers’ because they help in early ripening of mangoes. 

 

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Location: Amritsar, Punjab, India

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